Introduction
Pulmonary surfactant is a multicomponent complex of
several phospholipids, neutral lipids, and associated proteins.
It is secreted by the type II epithelial cells within the
lung. Its major physiologic function is to reduce alveolar
surface tension, confer stability to the alveoli, and maintain
the alveolar surface free of liquid to facilitate gas
exchange. The absence of surfactant is one of the hallmark
features of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), the most
common lung disorder among infants born prematurely.
Repletion with exogenously administered surfactant has
demonstrated efficacy for both prophylactic and rescue
approaches. To date there have been more than 40 published
clinical trials evaluating the use of surfactant replacement
therapy in more than 20,000 enrolled infants