Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats
04:27

Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats

Published on: May 4, 2020

Effects of surfactant therapy on outcome of extremely premature infants

R E Hoekstra1, T B Ferrara, N R Payne

  • 1Minneapolis Children's Medical Center, MN 55404.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Surfactant therapy significantly improves survival rates for extremely premature infants born before 26 weeks gestation. This treatment enhances infant survival without negatively impacting neurologic outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Critical Care
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Extremely premature infants (born before 26 weeks gestation) face high mortality and morbidity.
  • Previous viability reports overlooked the impact of surfactant therapy.
  • Surfactant replacement therapy has revolutionized neonatal respiratory care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of surfactant therapy on survival and neurologic outcomes in extremely premature infants.
  • To compare survival rates between surfactant-treated and untreated infants.
  • To assess the safety and efficacy of surfactant therapy in a real-world setting.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 445 infants born between 23 and 36 weeks gestation (1986-1992).
  • Categorization of infants into surfactant-treated (n=285) and untreated (n=156) groups.
  • Analysis of survival data and subsequent neurologic assessments.

Main Results:

  • Overall survival was significantly higher in surfactant-treated infants (75%) compared to untreated infants (56%) (P < 0.001).
  • Infants across all gestational ages from 23 to 26 weeks showed improved survival with surfactant treatment.
  • No significant differences in neurologic outcomes were observed between the treated and untreated groups at follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Surfactant therapy demonstrably improves the survival of extremely premature infants.
  • The benefits of surfactant therapy extend to infants across the early preterm spectrum (23-26 weeks gestation).
  • Surfactant treatment does not appear to compromise subsequent neurologic development in these vulnerable infants.

More Related Videos

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)06:22

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Published on: April 7, 2021

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Endotracheal Tube Extubation01:24

Endotracheal Tube Extubation

Endotracheal tube extubation is a critical procedure in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. It involves physically removing the oral or nasal endotracheal (ET) tube, marking the final step in liberating a patient from ventilatory support.
Procedure
Extubation removes the endotracheal tube (ETT) from the patient on mechanical ventilation. It requires a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.