[Secondary surfactant deficiencies in extremely low birth weight premature infants]. / Déficits secondaires en surfactant chez le grand prématuré

ABSTRACT

Primary deficiency of surfactant is responsible for the respiratory distress syndrome and concerns premature neonates born before 33 weeks of gestation. However, newborns may develop respiratory disorders related to a secondary deficiency or dysfunction of surfactant. We report the course of three extremely low birth weight premature infants who experienced clinical respiratory decompensation at two weeks and showed a marked improvement after exogenous natural surfactant administration.