What is the typical medication given to improve surfactant production in preterm infants?

Beractant, commonly known as Survanta, is a surfactant replacement therapy used to improve lung function in preterm infants, particularly those experiencing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The primary issue in preterm infants is the deficiency of surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, allowing them to expand more easily and thereby facilitating proper gas exchange.

Administering Beractant helps to reduce the risk of atelectasis (collapse of alveoli) and enhances compliance of the lungs, making it easier for these fragile infants to breathe and maintain adequate oxygenation. This treatment is crucial in the management of RDS and is ideally given early, often shortly after birth, to maximize the benefits for the infant's lung function.

In contrast, oxygen therapy, while essential for many newborns, primarily addresses hypoxemia and does not tackle the underlying issue of surfactant deficiency. Antibiotics are typically used to treat infections rather than respiratory distress caused by surfactant insufficiency. Diuretics are utilized to manage fluid overload and are not related to surfactant production. Thus, Beractant stands out as the specific treatment aimed directly at improving surfactant production and function in preterm infants.