Abstract
Summary: Ten pairs of twin lambs 118–122 days of gestation were given cither natural surfactant or diluent endotracheally before the first breath. By using the premature twin lamb model, we have been able to show that instillation of natural surfactant produced 100% survival for the duration of the study period (2 hr); stable blood gases on room air; lungs that became increasingly compliant while on the respirator; generally well aerated lungs at autopsy; good lung pressure-volume relationships; normal lung surface tension measurements; and histologic evidence of good alveolar expansion with large amounts of free intraluminal phospholipid, no epithelial damage, and no hyaline membranes. It is concluded that tracheal instillation of natural surfactant into the premature lamb protects the lungs from developing many features characteristic of the respiratory distress syndrome.
Speculation: The success of these experiments is possibly due to the use of “whole” natural surfactant rather than some of its component chemicals. The precise biochemistry and physical chemistry of surfactant is very controversial, and for therapeutic purposes, it might be best for the moment to concentrate on the natural biologic product.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Adams, F., Towers, B., Osher, A. et al. Effects of Tracheal Instillation of Natural Surfactant in Premature Lambs. I. Clinical and Autopsy Findings. Pediatr Res 12, 841–848 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197808000-00008
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197808000-00008
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Aerosol drug delivery to spontaneously-breathing preterm neonates: lessons learned
Respiratory Research (2021)
-
Hyaline membrane disease (HMD): an historical and Oslerian perspective
Journal of Perinatology (2018)
-
Evolution of surfactant therapy for respiratory distress syndrome: past, present, and future
Pediatric Research (2017)
-
Surfactants: past, present and future
Journal of Perinatology (2008)
-
Surfactant replacement therapy for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics (1990)