Role of Montelukast in Modulation of Response to Sepsis in Preterm Infants

Since inflammatory mediators play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sepsis so anti-inflammatory treatment, Montelukast, could be a beneficial therapy. The investigators will conduct this pilot, open-labeled, randomized controlled intervention trial on 40 newborns admitted to NICU. The study will include late preterm infants with gestational age (34 weeks to less than 37 weeks) with clinical evidence of sepsis. The study included an intervention group (n=20) that will receive oral Montelukast for 10 days with antibiotics in addition to the conventional antibiotic therapy regimen according to NICU policy while the control group (n=20) will receive antibiotics in addition to the conventional antibiotic therapy regimen according to NICU policy. After obtaining a fully informed written consent from the neonate's parents or guardians, patients will be recruited and group allocated in the study by random pick up of closed opaque sealed envelopes. Patients will be observed clinically and by laboratory investigations along the duration of hospital admission through a structured collection sheet. Demographic data, cause of admission, clinical data (vital signs, activity, feeding intolerance, respiratory symptoms, duration of oxygen support, use of inotropes) will be recorded. Blood sampling will be performed twice in both groups, on admission, and 10 days after treatment. The following investigations will be carried out: complete blood picture, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), blood culture, Serum creatinine, Liver enzymes, and INR. A lumbar puncture will be performed when the treating physicians suspect meningitis. Patients in both groups will be observed along the duration of hospital admission to detect the outcome.

Patients in the intervention group, receiving Montelukast sodium (Singulair), will be given at a dose according to body weight (1.5 kg to 2 kg, will be given 1.5 mg; greater than 2 kg, will be given 2 mg). This dose was previously prescribed and given to preterm neonates suffered from bronchopulmonary dysplasia by Kim et al. (2015). Four mg of the drug will be dissolved in four ml milk and 1.5 - 2 ml milk only will be given once daily at 9 pm via an orogastric tube or by oral administration for 10 days. Along the period of NICU admission, patients receiving Montelukast will be closely observed for the development of any of its side effects that including "diarrhea, colic, vomiting, fever or cough" (Adelsberg et al., 2005).