ABSTRACT
A severe problem seen in premature babies is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), characterized by an inability to breathe properly. RDS is associated with the facts that the infant’s lungs are not fully developed and do not have enough pulmonary surfactant, a chemical that facilitates breathing which normally is produced naturally. Without sufficient surfactant, the infant may not be able to inhale enough oxygen, which may may permanently damage the brain and other organs.
