Perspectives for use of surfactant in children and adults.

After impressive results in the treatment of respiratory failure in premature babies, natural surfactant has been proposed in lung pathologies involving suspected surfactant deficiency. Apart from bronchiolitis, in which surfactant was used to stabilize small airways and for its possible antiviral action, research was directed towards pneumonia and sepsis, aspiration and chest trauma, which can lead to adult respiratory distress syndrome. Surfactant bronchoalveolar lavage has been used to 'cleanse' lungs, remove inhibitors and provide sufficient functional surfactant. Failure of surfactant therapy can be caused by insufficient dose, delayed administration, excessive inhibition and catabolism, or by type, severity and complexity of the lung disease (multi-organ failure).