surfactant replacement therapy

surfactant replacement therapy

Neonatology Intratracheally administered bronchoalveolar fluid derived from calves–98% lipids, comprised of 90% phospholipid, especially dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine and 2% apoproteins, which markedly improves gas exchange in premature infants; prophylactic bovine surfactant administered intratracheally ↓ need for neonatal respiratory support and ↑ survival of premature infants, especially < 30 wks. See Hyaline membrane disease.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.