[Treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants with pulmonary surfactant].

Pulmonary surfactant contains lipids and less than 10% proteins. A number of bio-physical properties such as surface-tension lowering and spreading properties are thought to be important for function. Natural surfactants from animal lungs or human amniotic fluid have been used either for prophylaxis or therapy of RDS in very low birthweight infants. Carefully controlled clinical studies demonstrated beneficial effects in infants with RDS after natural surfactants. The main benefits were an improvement in oxygenation, a reduction in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and a reduction in mortality. The results of 5 studies using artificial surfactants clearly are in conflict with respect to short and long term benefits. As no adverse side effects after treatment with natural surfactants were observed until now, these preparations should be considered for prophylaxis or treatment of RDS.