Impact of advances in physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology on pulmonary disease in neonates

Revolutionary advances in the physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and genetics of the lung have synergized advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of both inherited and acquired lung disease. Fortunately, for many common-though previously lethal-diseases, this knowledge has been rapidly translated into new diagnostic abilities and into highly effective therapies that have reduced morbidity and mortality of infants with RDS and other forms of lung disease in the neonatal period. While clinical hurdles remain, the fundamental scientific advances of the last half century have transformed the once bleak outcome offered premature infants and term infants with severe respiratory disease to one of clear optimism. Further improvements in neonatal care will rest on continued novel observations made through basic science and their rapid translation into applications for both prevention and treatment of respiratory disease in newborn infants.