1. Briefly explain what cystic fibrosis is and how dornase alfa acts to solve the problem.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic metabolic disease that results in reduced secretions in various organs. Dornase alfa hydrolizes proteins in bronchial mucus improving fluidity. 

2. Briefly explain what neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is, what the general treatment strategies involve and how cortisone and exogenous surfactants solve the problem.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is a disease that occurs in premature babies, in which the surfactants that cover the airways are not yet formed.

General treatment involves: Intense monitoring, oxygenation and exogenous surfactants.

Exogenous surfactants augment lung surfactants and cortisone boosts endogenous surfactant production. 

3. What is the general role of O2 therapy in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome? What do the dangers of O2 toxicity involve?

O2 therapy ensures oxygenation and keeps the lungs form collapsing. O2 toxicity causes a paradoxial effect of inter alia, hypoxia and is in extreme cases fatal. in this case can also cause retinal damage and blindness.

4. Briefly explain what neonatal apnoea is and how the methylxanthines solve the problem. which methylxanthine is used? 

Neonatal apnoea is a disease that occurs in newborns and premature babies. the respiratory center is not fully develloped to stimulate continuous breathing. This may cause neural damage and hypoxia. Methylxanthines stimulate the CNS and the methylxanthine used would be Theophylline IV.