[Natural and synthetic surfactant in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome].

The results of treatment of severe respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants with gestational age < or = 32 weeks are reported. During the two-year period 1991-92, the department participated in both the Osiris study (Exosurf) and the Curosurf 4 study (Curosurf). Five of the 23 infants treated with Exosurf died and 16 survived without major sequelae. 14 of the 25 infants treated with Curosurf died and six survived without major sequelae. Four of the infants treated with Curosurf developed severe retinopathy of prematurity. During the study period this complication occurred in one additional patient who was not eligible for inclusion in the study. The results show the need to study differences in the physiological effects of surfactants more closely, in order both to improve the basis for selection of surfactant for individual patients, and to define the indications for treatment. The results raise the question of whether such studies should continue to include control patients.