Medi Life New Born ICU Paediatric & NICU

Surfactant Therapy

• Surfactant therapy is a medical treatment used to improve lung function in individuals with respiratory distress, particularly in premature infants with underdeveloped lungs. Surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins that normally lines the alveoli in the lungs, reducing surface tension and facilitating gas exchange. In individuals with respiratory distress, such as those with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), there is a lack of naturally produced surfactant, leading to decreased lung compliance and impaired breathing. Surfactant therapy involves administering an exogenous surfactant preparation directly into the lungs, either through endotracheal instillation or aerosolization. This treatment helps to improve lung function, increase oxygenation, and reduce the work of breathing, ultimately improving outcomes for patients in respiratory distress.