Preemie Chats – Surfactant Therapy (November 7)

Celebrating Innovation in Neonatal Care Ahead of World Prematurity Day

On November 7, I had the pleasure of joining the Preemie Chats series to talk about one of the most transformative breakthroughs in neonatal medicine: surfactant therapy. The timing could not have been more meaningful—our discussion took place just days before World Prematurity Day on November 17, a global moment to honor preterm infants, celebrate progress, and recognize the ongoing work still needed to support babies born too soon.

World Prematurity Day reminds us why research, education, and family partnerships matter. Surfactant therapy is one of those rare medical advances that changed the trajectory of survival for preterm babies, and sharing this story felt especially powerful during this important month.

🎥 Watch the full talk on YouTube:👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/sgDpHK6ndbY?si=wflX96zyVdFNO56f

The Incredible Story of Surfactant

Surfactant is a natural, soap-like substance that helps the lungs stay open so a baby can breathe. Preterm infants are often born before they can make enough of it—putting them at immediate risk of respiratory distress.

Our Preemie Chats session explored how this therapy came to be, spanning nearly a century of discovery:

🔬 1930s–1950s: Early clues

Researchers observed that premature infants with respiratory distress had difficulty expanding their lungs. Scientists studying lung biomechanics began describing a tension-reducing substance—what would later be named surfactant.

🧪 1970s: First experiments

Researchers began early trials using artificial surfactant preparations. Results were inconsistent, but these studies laid the foundation for life-saving therapies to come.

❤️ 1980s: The breakthrough decade

Effective animal-derived surfactant formulations arrived, and large clinical trials showed dramatic improvement in survival for very preterm infants. Surfactant therapy soon became a global standard of care.

Today: Gentler, Smarter, and More Effective

Modern neonatal care focuses not only on giving surfactant, but on delivering it in the gentlest way possible to protect developing lungs.

💨 MIST / LISA (Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy)

A thin catheter delivers surfactant while the baby continues breathing on their own—avoiding intubation and reducing lung injury.

🌫️ Nebulized surfactant

Researchers are developing aerosolized surfactant that babies could inhale naturally, potentially offering the least invasive therapy yet.

🛟 Supraglottic airway delivery

A soft airway device placed above the vocal cords allows surfactant administration without a breathing tube. This approach may simplify treatment in the delivery room and in low-resource settings.

These innovations continue to reshape how we care for extremely vulnerable newborns.

Connecting With Families: Learn More

If you enjoyed this session or want to explore related neonatal topics, here are two excellent family-focused resources:

🎥 CanadianPreemies YouTube Channel

Educational videos and podcasts for parents and caregivers:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@canadianpreemies3704

🤝 Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF-FBPC)

A national organization supporting families and advocating for high-quality preterm infant care:👉 http://www.cpbf-fbpc.org

Why This Matters for World Prematurity Day

As we mark World Prematurity Day on November 17, it’s important to reflect on how far neonatal care has come—and how much more progress lies ahead. Surfactant therapy is a powerful example of how scientific discovery, innovation, and family advocacy come together to save lives.

At CSAR and Research4Babies, we remain dedicated to advancing neonatal resuscitation research, sharing knowledge, and partnering with families to improve outcomes for preterm infants everywhere.