[When the lungs are flooding, pumps are needed--epithelial Na-channel in respiratory insufficiency].

When the lungs are flooding, pumps are needed - epithelial Na-channel in respiratory insuffiency For a newborn in order to adapt to breathing air, the lungs must gain a sufficient size and respiratory surface area, and the pulmonary circulation and interstitial lymph circulation must be functional. Any disturbance in these events will result in a chronic pulmonary disease. Transportation of sodium ions from the alveolar side of the mucous membrane into the interstitial and blood space has turned out to be an important factor in the airway surface liquid volume regulation. Deficiency of transepithelial fluid transport is a cause and eventual target for therapy of respiratory insufficiency appearing during the neonatal period or later.