Static respiratory compliance in the newborn. III: Early changes after exogenous surfactant treatment

Static respiratory system compliance (Crs) was measured by a single breath passive expiratory flow technique in 73 newborn infants treated with exogenous surfactant. The first 39 received Curosurf, a natural porcine surfactant. The other 34 received Exosurf Neonatal, a synthetic surfactant. All had a diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome with an arterial/alveolar oxygen ratio <0.22. Static Crs and arterial blood gases were measured shortly before, and at three and 12 hours after the first dose of surfactant