Impact of lung surfactant therapy on chronic lung diseases in premature infants.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and chronic lung disease remain common complications of prematurity. This article addresses the evolution of BPD since its description in 1967, and the impact of surfactant replacement therapy on the incidence and characteristics of BPD. It also addresses the emergence of a form of chronic lung disease now seen in surfactant-treated premature infants who had no acute lung disease.