Surfactant levels after reversible tracheal occlusion and prenatal steroids in experimental diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In normal lungs, fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) induces lung growth but decreases the number of type II cells; this is remedied if TO is released (TR) before delivery. In the current study, the effects of TO with or without TR on pulmonary structure and surfactant were assessed in the ovine model in which lung hypoplasia was induced by creation of a diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: A left-sided CDH was created in fetal …