NATURAL SURFACTANT SUPPLEMENTATION IN INF ANTS AFFECTED BY LIKE - ADULT-RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS-SYNDROME (ARDS)

4 infants, 14-20 days, weighing 1200-3850 gums, affected ARDS of sepsi s were treated with 50 mg/kg of natural lung porcine derived surfactan t (Curosurf) endotracheally. The indication for the treatment was the difficulty to adequate gas exchange using high FiO2 (> 0.6) and large tidal volume in different modes of artificial ventilation PEEP level > 8 cm H2O. The best effect wets noted after hours with an increase of PaO2 and the reduction of ventilatory support. The improvement was con firmed by chest x-ray In one case retreatment was at 24 hrs intervals when there was a deterioration in blood gas exchange. The response to the supplementary dose was similar to the first. All the infants survi ved and no side effects were noted during and after surfactant supplem entation.