Microaerosol Administration of Synthetic β-γ-Dipalmitoyl-L-α-Lecithin in the Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Preliminary Report

Synthetic L-α-lecithin was administered by inhalation to 11 infants suffering from respiratory distress. The L-α-lecithin was delivered by microaerosolization, at a concentration of 0.25% in a mixture of equal volumes of propylene glycol and water. This was done with the aim of decreasing the alveolar surface tension. In eight of the treated infants who survived, the respiratory distress was alleviated. The results are inconclusive but they justify further investigation.