Comparative analysis of surfactants for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the main causes of mortality in preterm infants. Surfactant treatment is a standard of care for infants who have RDS. Animal-derived surfactants in clinical use are obtained by organic extraction of porcine (poractant alfa) or bovine (beractant, surfactant-BL) minced lung or bovine lung lavage fluid (bovactant). Cochrane systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials showed a similar efficacy of beractant and bovactant ininfants with RDS, while poractant alfa was more effective than beractant. In retrospective clinical study, poractant alfa in efficacy had advantages over surfactant-BL. Poractant alfa delivers the highest level of surfactant in the lowest volume and can be administered through the Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) technique using a thin catheter. Less invasive surfactant therapy reduces the need for mechanical ventilation in preterm infants.