Paediatric ImagingSurfactant
a phospholipid released by type 2 pneumocytes which reduces the surface tension of
pulmonary fluid and permits easier lung expansion. Surfactant release commences at around 34 weeks' gestation. Failure of surfactant release in infants born before this gestational age causes
hyaline membrane disease. Intratracheal and
bronchial treatment with surfactant diminishes the incidence and severity of hyaline membrane disease.
HC