Expanded use of surfactant therapy in newborns.
Although there is no doubt that administration of exogenous surfactant to very preterm babies who have respiratory distress syndrome is safe and efficacious, surfactant inactivation or deficiency plays a role in the pathophysiology of other pulmonary disorders affecting newborn infants. Preliminary data suggest that there may be a role for surfactant administration to babies who have meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia, and possibly bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Further investigation is necessary but seems warranted.
Lacaze-Masmonteil
Thierry
T
Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children's Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. thierrylacaze@cha.ab.ca
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants