Surfactant and surfactant therapy in neonates: from the beginning to the modern features of the application

Surfactant is a secreted surface-active substance that provides the first breath of the newborn by reducing the surface tension of the alveoli. Surfactant preparations were the first and most popular drugs in neonatology, saving the lives of millions of premature babies. Successful treatment with surfactants is preceded by an individual personalized approach to each child and early detection of newborns with surfactant deficiency. Determining the indications for surfactant therapy, choosing an effective method of drug delivery, selecting concomitant respiratory support are current areas of neonatology to this day. The article reflects the history of use, new approaches to surfactant therapy and methods of administration of various surfactant preparations.