Pulmonary Surfactant Analysis

Pulmonary surfactant is a substance found on the alveolar wall that lowers alveolar surface tension. This decreases the muscle effort required to open and ventilate the lungs. Natural, endogenous surfactant is a compound composed of phospholipids, neutral lipids, and proteins that forms a layer between the alveolar surface and the alveolar gas and reduces alveolar collapse by decreasing surface tension within the alveoli. Surfactant replacement therapy rescue treatment a few hours after birth in infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome( RDS) also known as hyaline membrane disease. Although RDS is a characterized by the reduction in lung volume due to a decrease in surfactant production. Surfactant deficiency is almost always associated
However, in general, the more premature the infant, the less the surfactant production and the higher the probability for RDS. Direct tracheal instillation of surfactant has been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity in infants with RDS. Lack of surfactant leading cause of pulmonary complications in the neonate, also lungs become stiff and non-compliant. Also lack of surfactant causes energy loss, hypoxia, and hypoventilation. There are other neonatal lung disorders in which inadequate functional surfactant may be a prominent element of the pathophysiology either by in activation or inhabitation of synthesis. These include meconiunm aspiration syndrome, shock lung, pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumonia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and broncho pulmonary dysplasia
Meconium its self is a thick, tar-like dark green material, and potentially any substances capable of appearing in amniotic fluid, which is swallowed by the fetus. Gasping respirations help move meconium into oropharynx and trachea. It’s make alteration in pulmonary vasoreactivity, leading to pulmonary vasoconstriction due to hypoxia causes persistent pulmonary hypertension and secondary persistent fetal circulation its cause pulmonary ischemia, with damage to the type II cells and reduced surfactant production. Its treat with high ventilator support and substantial supplemental oxygen, contributing to lung injury also surfactant replacement therapy is an attractive hypothesis. Two approaches have been attempted surfactant replacement and surfactant lavage.Surfactant replacement therapy, if started within 6 hours after birth, improves oxygenation and reduces the incidence of air leaks, severity of pulmonary morbidity, and hospitalization time of term infants with MAS. . surfactant lavage. A method to enhance removal of particulate meconium from the airway using bronchoalveolar lavage with a dilute bovine surfactant preparation and administered through an endotracheal tube. The potential benefits of surfactant lavage are limited to enhancing removal of particulate meconium and improving lung