Treatment of hyaline membrane disease by human amniotic fluid surfactant.

A case of hyaline membrane disease was treated successfully with pulmonary surfactant (PS) isolated from human amniotic fluid. Dosage was 150 mg phospholipid/kg. The exogenous surfactant was instilled into the airway via a tracheal cannula. Clinical symptoms, PO2 and FiO2 improved evidently 24 hours after administration. L/S ratio and phosphatidylglycerol recovered gradually in aspirates. Lung X-ray film manifested "white lung" before instillation of surfactant and showed a striking improvement 3 days after treatment. The duration of mechanical ventilation was 6 days. During the period of recovery complications of patent ductus arteriosus and bacterial pneumonia developed. However, the patient recovered completely and was discharged 32 days after admission.