Some human infants, especially those born prematurely, suffer serious respiratory failure because of ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary reason some human infants, especially those born prematurely, suffer serious respiratory failure is due to lung collapse caused by inadequate production of surfactant. Surfactant is a substance that reduces surface tension in the lungs, preventing the air sacs (alveoli) from collapsing and ensuring they can inflate properly during breathing. Premature infants often have not produced enough surfactant, leading to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Some Human Infants, Especially Those Born Prematurely, Suffer Serious Respiratory