Surfactant: Helping tiny lungs stay open

What It Means

Surfactant is a natural substance inside the lungs that helps keep the tiny air sacs from collapsing after each breath.

Premature babies often haven't made enough surfactant yet.

Why It's Important

Without enough surfactant, breathing becomes much harder.

Some premature babies receive surfactant medication shortly after birth to help their lungs work more effectively.

What Parents Often Notice

You may hear the care team discuss surfactant early in your baby's NICU stay, especially if your baby is born very prematurely.

💛 Parent Tip

Receiving surfactant is a common treatment for premature babies and has helped improve outcomes for countless infants over the years.

Questions You Can Ask

• Did my baby receive surfactant?

• How did they respond?

• Will they need additional doses?

Related Terms

CPAP • Ventilator • Intubation