Infasurf and curosurf: theoretical and practical considerations with new surfactants.

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Nguyen TN, Cunsolo SM, Gal P, Ransom JL

Infasurf and curosurf: theoretical and practical considerations with new surfactants.

J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Apr;8(2):97-114. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-8.2.97.

PubMed ID
23300398 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Type II pneumocytes, normally responsible for surfactant production and release, are insufficiently formed and differentiated in the premature infant born before 34 weeks' gestation. Without an adequate amount of pulmonary surfactant, alveolar surface tension increases, leading to collapse and decreased lung compliance. Pulmonary surfactants are naturally occurring substances made of lipids and proteins. They lower surface tension at the interface between the air in the lungs, specifically at the alveoli, and the blood in the capillaries. This review examines the relative benefits of the two most recently marketed surfactants, calfactan (Infasurf) and poractant alfa (Curosurf).

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