Question

Since adequate pulmonary surfactant is not produced until the last two months of fetal development, babies born prematurely are often unable to keep their alveoli inflated between breaths. Name this condition, explain why it occurs, and describe how it can be treated.

Answer 1

Respiratory distress syndrome why it occurs the enough amount of surfactant is not produced in alveoli causing the lungs to collapse it very difficult for baby to get enough air.

Normally in last two months of pregnancy cells in the alveoli produce substance called surfactant, which keep the surface tension inside the alveolar low so that the sacs can expand  at the moment of birth and infant breath normally,

In premature babies surfactant is not produced so they not breath properly. Fortunately surfactant is now artificially produced and can given to babies if doctor suspect they are not yet making surfactant on their own. Most of the babies need extra oxygen and support from ventilator.