What treatment can be used prophylactically for hyaline membrane disease?

The use of exogenous surfactant as a prophylactic treatment for hyaline membrane disease, also known as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, is well supported by clinical evidence. Hyaline membrane disease typically occurs in premature infants due to insufficient surfactant production, which leads to atelectasis (lung collapse) and impaired gas exchange.

Surfactant is a substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing their collapse and allowing for easier inflation of the lungs during breathing. Administering exogenous surfactant shortly after birth has been shown to improve lung function and decrease morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. This treatment is particularly effective when given to at-risk populations, such as preterm infants with a high likelihood of developing respiratory distress due to immaturity of their lungs.

Other treatment options, while significant in their own right, are not specifically indicated for the prophylaxis of hyaline membrane disease. Inhaled steroids may be helpful for chronic conditions like asthma but do not address the underlying surfactant deficiency. Antibiotics are used to treat infections but are not relevant to surfactant function. Oxygen therapy can support breathing and oxygenation but does not treat the fundamental problem of surfactant deficiency.