Final answer:
Premature infants face difficulties in inflating their lungs due to insufficient levels of pulmonary surfactant, necessary for reducing surface tension in the alveoli. Without enough surfactant, the lungs are difficult to inflate, leading to respiratory distress syndrome. Medical intervention with surfactant can significantly aid in treating this condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
In premature births, the challenge in inflating the baby's lungs is due to insufficient levels of pulmonary surfactant, which is crucial for reducing the surface tension in the alveoli and making it easier for the airways to inflate. Pulmonary surfactant acts similarly to a detergent, reducing the effort needed for lung expansion. This allows the alveoli to remain open and not collapse during exhalation, facilitating proper gas exchange. However, in premature infants, the type II cells in the lungs may not have produced enough surfactant yet, making it difficult to reduce this surface tension, thereby causing respiratory distress syndrome. Without sufficient surfactant, the fluid molecules in the lung create bonds which hinder expansion, akin to trying to inflate a balloon without first stretching it.
Another condition analogous to the effect of surfactant deficiency is hyaline membrane disease, a leading cause of death in infants, particularly those who are prematurely born. Treatment for this condition can involve spraying surfactant into the infant's breathing passages to reduce the surface tension and facilitate breathing. It is critical that premature infants receive medical support to overcome the challenges related to surfactant deficiency for better chances of survival and reduced respiratory complications.