Abstract:Objective To investigate the early intervention effect of bovine pulmonary surfactant combined with caffeine citrate on neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and its impact on oxygenation function.Methods A total of 96 infants with NRDS admitted to Bozhou People’s Hospital from May 2021 to October 2024 were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 48, treated with bovine pulmonary surfactant alone) and an observation group (n = 48, treated with bovine pulmonary surfactant plus caffeine citrate). Clinical efficacy, clinical indicators, ventilation and oxygenation indices, ventilator parameters, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and complications were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group had shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, as well as fewer apnea episodes compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Differences in arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, arterial partial pressure of oxygen, oxygen saturation, and oxygenation index before and after treatment were greater in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Differences in fraction of inspired oxygen, peak inspiratory pressure, and positive end-expiratory pressure before and after treatment were also greater in the observation group (P < 0.05). The incidence of BPD in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion The combination of bovine pulmonary surfactant and caffeine citrate significantly improves oxygenation function, reduces BPD incidence, and demonstrates favorable safety in NRDS infants, supporting its clinical application.