title: Surfactant administration to the human fetus in utero: a new approach to prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
abstract: Supplementary surfactant (80 mg in 1 ml) was administered intra-amniotically in proximity of the fetal mouth to 4 preterm fetuses (28 to 32 wks) with immature amniotic fluid indexes and whose delivery was imminent. Administration was preceded by a aminophylline infusion (loading dose of 240 mg and maintenance of 0.8 mg/kg/min) to the mother in order to elicit sustained fetal breathing movements. Following delivery by cesarean section, the absence of signs of respiratory distress in the infants along with a completely uneventful clinical course suggests that the present therapeutic approach has great potential for becoming a reliable option for the antenatal prevention of RDS.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Institute for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Cosmi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: La Torre
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Iorio
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Anceschi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000650:Amnion; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D000628:Aminophylline