Abstract
Currently, the administration of surfactant to preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) mainly relies on intratracheal instillation; however, there is increasing evidence of aerosolized surfactant being an effective non-invasive strategy. We present a historical narrative spanning sixty years of development of aerosolization systems. We also offer an overview of the pertinent mechanisms needed to create and manage the ideal aerosolization system, with a focus on delivery, distribution, deposition, and dispersion in the context of the human lung. More studies are needed to optimize treatment with aerosolized surfactants, including determination of ideal dosages, nebulizer types, non-invasive interfaces, and breath synchronization. However, the field is rapidly evolving, and widespread clinical use may be achieved in the near future.
Document Type
Review
Publication Date
6-10-2021
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.3390/children8060493
Funding Information
E.G.A.J. is supported by the Gerber Foundation and by funds from by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant UL1TR001998. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH; T.M.R. is supported by NIH K08HL133459-04 grant.
Repository Citation
Brasher, Mandy; Raffay, Thomas M.; Cunningham, M. Douglas; and Abu Jawdeh, Elie G., "Aerosolized Surfactant for Preterm Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome" (2021). Pediatrics Faculty Publications. 316.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pediatrics_facpub/316
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Children, v. 8, issue 6, 493.
© 2021 by the authors
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).