title: [Pulmonary surfactant. Properties, relation to the respiratory distress syndrome in neonates and possibilities of its prevention and therapy].
abstract: The paper considers pulmonary surfactant with regard to the development of the lungs in the fetal period. Its biochemical properties are characterized and its value for respiratory function in neonates is assessed. Immaturity of lung tissue and of its function in preterm babies accounts for acute respiratory failure, the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Prevention of RDS in neonates took advantage of the knowledge obtained in experiments concerning the stimulatory effect of some mediators and hormones on the production and secretion of pulmonary surfactant. In clinical practice mostly glucocorticoids have been used, frequently in combination with beta 2 adrenergic mimetics, while aminophylline and thyroxine were used relatively rarely. The good effectiveness of ambroxol in RDS prevention has recently been demonstrated in clinical studies. The low occurrence of adverse effects potentiates the advantages of ambroxol administration. Both in RDS prevention and treatment the prospective lies with the administration of exogenous surfactant. At present effort is focusing on detecting means that would not only reduce the incidence and mortality for RDS but would also present a minimized risk for the developing organism. (Ref. 110.).
authors.affiliation: Katedra farmakológie LFUK v Bratislave.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kristová
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canová
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000502:physiology*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants
vernacular_title: Plúcny surfaktant. Vlastnosti, vzt'ah k RDS novorodencov a moznosti jeho prevencie a terapie.