Results of laboratory surveillance of very low birth weight infants treated with a synthetic surfactant.

During two randomized, controlled trials comparing single prophylactic doses of air placebo and a synthetic surfactant, Exosurf Neonatal, many routine laboratory measurements were made in small premature infants during the first week of life. Values for serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, phospholipid, cholesterol, glucose, calcium, bilirubin, and liver enzymes, as well as for hemoglobin, leukocyte and platelet counts, and urinalysis, did not differ between the placebo- and surfactant-treated infants. There was no evidence that prophylactic administration of this synthetic surfactant causes alterations in standard laboratory tests in small premature infants.