Animal derived surfactant extract for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of pulmonary surfactant. A wide variety of surfactant products have been formulated and studied in clinical trials. These include synthetic surfactants and animal derived surfactant extracts. Trials of surfactant replacement have either tried to prevent the development of respiratory distress in high-risk premature infants or treat established respiratory distress in premature infants.