[Surfactant to premature neonates].

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary physiology and neonatology.

Context:

• Premature infants often experience respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) due to insufficient surfactant.
• Surfactant is a natural lipoprotein complex that lowers alveolar surface tension, easing the work of breathing.

Purpose:

• To review the development and application of natural and synthetic surfactant preparations.
• To assess the efficacy of surfactant therapy in reducing mortality and neonatal complications in premature infants.

Summary:

• Surfactant preparations, both natural and synthetic, have been developed for prophylaxis and therapy of RDS.
• Controlled studies demonstrate a significant reduction in mortality rates associated with surfactant administration.
• The impact of surfactant therapy on neonatal complications and long-term outcomes remains under investigation.

Impact:

• Surfactant therapy has proven effective in decreasing mortality in premature newborns with RDS.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits and potential risks of surfactant treatment.