Author: Tursunova Balkadisha
Editor: Merentsova Anastasia
Pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of surfactants that line the alveoli of the lungs from the inside, which in turn makes breathing easier for newborns. The lungs of premature babies are often unable to breathe on their own, due to a lack or even absence of surfactant in them.
Newborn Lexi-Grace Sketchley from Leicestershire (UK) was born prematurely by caesarean section. Immediately after birth, she could not breathe on her own. As part of this study, a surfactant was injected into the lungs of Lexi-Grace through a tube at the Royal Leicester Infirmary. The next day after the drug was administered, the girl was able to breathe on her own.
The girl's parents are grateful to the research center for the saved life of their daughter. They took pride in their baby because Lexi was the first in this British SurfON (Surfactant Or Not) study to treat premature babies with breathing problems.
This study, according to the authors of the work, paved the way for improving the quality and preservation of life for millions of newborns.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-54356643
