Question

Lack of surfactant causes the neonate to lose lung capacity with each _____.

a) Inhalation
b) Exhalation
c) Inspiration
d) Respiration

Answer 1

Lack of surfactant in neonates causes the lungs to lose capacity with each exhalation due to increased surface tension and the potential for alveolar collapse. Surfactant treatments are crucial for preterm infants who may not produce enough naturally to facilitate proper lung inflation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lack of surfactant in neonates leads to increased surface tension within the lungs, particularly in the alveoli, making it difficult for them to inflate properly. Without surfactant, a neonate’s lungs lose capacity with each exhalation because the alveoli are prone to collapse, leading to a condition called atelectasis. The pulmonary surfactant has a crucial function: it reduces this tension, making it easier for the alveoli to stay open during the respiratory cycle and prevent alveolar collapse.

In premature births, especially before 26 weeks, the type II cells in the lungs might not have produced enough pulmonary surfactant, which can lead to severe respiratory distress. One of the treatments for such cases involves administering surfactant into the infant's breathing passages to aid in lung inflation and combat hyaline membrane disease, a potentially fatal condition without adequate surfactant presence.