Evolution of pulmonary surfactants for the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and paediatric lung diseases

UNLABELLED: This review documents the evolution of surfactant therapy, beginning with observations of surfactant deficiency in respiratory distress syndrome, the basis of exogenous surfactant treatment and the development of surfactant-containing novel peptides patterned after SP-B. We critically analyse the molecular interactions of surfactant proteins and phospholipids contributing to surfactant function. CONCLUSION: Peptide-containing surfactant provides clinical efficacy in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome and offers promise for treating other lung diseases in infancy.