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3 Dec 2021, 06:54 Publicly Viewable

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic metabolic disease (decrease DNase 1) that results in reduced secretions in various organs. Dornase alpha (rhDNase) inhalations improve fluidity by hydrolyzing proteins in bronchial mucus.
Surfactants that cover airways and are essential for gas exchange are not formed completely because baby is born premature and lungs can fall flat. Treatment involves oxygen, ventilation for positive pressure and drugs like beractant and poractant alfa. Betamethasone a corticosteroid is given prophylactically to the mother before labour to initiate the baby's surfactant production.
It is to ensure oxygenation where there may be a lack in that. Over a long term increased oxygen can lead to retinal damage and blindness.
The respiratory center of the brain of premature or newborns is not fully developed to stimulate continuous breathing and this results in apnoea with bradycardia. Methylxanthines stimulate the CNS and caffeine is used.