Surfactant replacement therapy in the neonate: beyond respiratory distress syndrome.
Surfactant-replacement therapy is a life-saving treatment for preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome, a disorder characterized by surfactant deficiency. Repletion with exogenous surfactant decreases mortality and thoracic air leaks and is a standard practice in the developed world. In addition to respiratory distress syndrome, other neonatal respiratory disorders are characterized by surfactant deficiency, which may result from decreased synthesis or inactivation. Two of these disorders, meconium aspiration syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, might also be amenable to surfactant-replacement therapy. This paper discusses the use of surfactant-replacement therapy beyond respiratory distress syndrome and examines the evidence to date.
Donn
Steven M
SM
Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, F5790, Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48109-0254, USA. smdonnmd@med.umich.edu
Dalton
Jennifer
J
D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000379:methods; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants