About 50 years ago, the importance of primary
surfactant deficiency in the pathogenesis of neonatal RDS was found by Avery and Mead (4).
Further investigations in this area should focus on the study of the molecular and genetic mechanisms of synthesis and transport of surfactant proteins, and to develop simple inexpensive methods for detection of the lungs
surfactant deficiency in infants.
In the neonatal period, pulmonary oedema is often mistaken for primary pulmonary pathology such as
surfactant deficiency syndrome (hyaline membrane disease), transient tachypnea of the newborn or infection on chest radiographs.
Survanta was given 100 mg/kg (4mL/kg) in four divided doses and was indicated if the infant weighed < 1,250 g, had suspected
surfactant deficiency, the risk of RDS or the physician opted to rescue an infant with RDS.