Key points Multiple antenatal exposures exert effects on the fetal lung—some adverse and other beneficial for postnatal survival. Antenatal exposures can alter lung development and interact with postnatal exposures. Early gestational lung maturation is common and promoted by both antenatal…
Historical Background A brief history of surfactant for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) provides perspective on this major therapeutic advance. In 1959, not long after surfactant had been identified as critical to maintaining lung inflation at low transpulmonary…
Spectrum of Lung Disease in Preterm Infants The normal fetal lung at 26 weeks gestation is in a late canalicular or early saccular stage of development and surfactant deficient. Surfactant treatment and the use of more gentle modes of assisted…
A Brief History An understanding of lung development and maturation is central to the care of preterm infants, because lung function is so critical to survival of the preterm. Pattle and Clements first noted surface-active substances in pulmonary edema foam…