Cystic fibrosis is a chronic metabolic disease characterised by the decrease in secretions in various organs, of which the lungs are the most affected. The body cant eliminate the thick and sticky mucus produced and creates the perfect environment for recurrent infections to occur. Dornase alfa inhalations hydrolyze the muco-polysaccarides in the mucus increasing its liquidity and improving the body's ability to rid of this mucus.
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome occurs when the surfactant which cover the airways and is essential for gas exchange, has not developed before birth and can lead to atelectasis. Treatment includes oxygen therapy/ventilation, exogenous surfactants (beractant or poractant) administration or prophylactically administering two doses of a corticosteroid (betamethasone) to the mother, before labour, to induce the formation of the baby's surfactants.
The role of this therapy is to improve the gas exchange of the baby even though the surfactants aren't completely developed yet. This allows for normal oxygen levels. Dangers of this therapy if oxygen levels remain high over a period of time includes retinal damage and ultimately blindness.
Neonatal apnoea occurs when the respiratory centrum in the brain has not yet fully developed in a baby and thus there is not continuous stimulation for breathing. Resulting in periods of oxygen shortage due to the lack of breathing by the baby. Methylxanthines stimulate the CNS and makes you more aware and awake thus improving respiration stimulation in this condition. Theophylline or caffeine can be used.