Interfacial Tensiometry of Tracheal Aspirate from Infants with Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

The interfacial properties of tracheal aspirate from infants with untreated neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), and NRDS infants after therapy with the exogenous surfactant Curosurf® were assessed. The interfacial characteristics of the aspirate (equilibrium surface tension, maximal and minimal surface tension during lateral compression-decompression cycles) were determined with the pendant drop method. Our results show that the tracheal aspirate of infants with untreated NRDS had high equilibrium, maximal and minimal surface tension values. In contrast, the samples from infants, treated with Curosurf®, showed lower surface tension values, suggesting that the application of Curosurf® improves the composition and the properties of the pulmonary surfactant in the infant lung.