Final answer:
Administering surfactant is advised if a baby requires intubation due to respiratory distress or extreme prematurity as it helps lower the surface tension in underdeveloped lungs, facilitating easier inflation and breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a baby requires intubation and mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress or is extremely premature, consider administering surfactant. Surfactant therapy is critical because it functions similarly to a detergent to reduce surface tension in the airways, making it substantially easier for the lungs to inflate. This is particularly important for premature infants who often do not produce enough surfactant naturally, leading to Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) due to the increased effort required to inflate their underdeveloped lungs.
Medical advances have significantly enhanced the treatment of RDS, including the use of pulmonary surfactant, which has effectively halved the mortality rate associated with the condition. In addition to surfactant therapy, premature infants may also receive supportive therapies like temperature regulation, nutritional support, and antibiotics to address the multifaceted challenges they face shortly after birth.