The lungs of the neonate lack the surfactant needed to allow the alveoli to expand.

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The lungs of the neonate lack the surfactant needed to allow the alveoli to expand. The surfactant normally is produced relatively late in fetal life; consequently, premature infants are at risk. The outcome of this inability of the lungs to expand is inadequate surface area for proper gas exchange and a potentially fatal lack of oxygen in the blood.

The Lungs of the Neonate Lack the Surfactant Needed to Allow