Surfactant replacement therapy has been shown to be an effective and often life-saving treatment for newborn infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Since the pioneering efforts of Fujiwara and colleagues<sup>32 Fujiwara T., Chida S., Watabe Y.J. , e al. Artificial surfactant therapy in hyaline membrane disease Lancet 1980 ;  1 : 55  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> in 1980, numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of exogenous surfactant in improving lung compliance, decreasing requirements for inspired oxygen, improving oxygenation, reducing the incidence of air-leak complications, and increasing survival. Numerous reviews of surfactant therapy are available.<sup>73 Jobe A.H. Pulmonary surfactant therapy N Engl J Med 1993 ;  328 : 861

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 109 Poulain F.R., Clements J.A. Pulmonary surfactant therapy West J Med 1995 ;  162 : 43

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This article provides the clinician with an update regarding the various other applications of surfactant replacement therapy, as well as issues related to surfactant administration for the preparations approved for use in pediatric patients, or undergoing clinical trial (Table 1).