An animal-derived lung surfactant for premature babies
Beractant
An animal-derived lung surfactant given into the lungs of premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome.
What is Beractant?
Beractant is a lung surfactant, a substance that helps the tiny air sacs in the lungs stay open so a baby can breathe. It is given into the lungs of premature babies who have respiratory distress syndrome, a serious breathing problem caused by their lungs not yet making enough natural surfactant. It is derived from animal lungs and is given only by neonatal specialists, through a breathing tube. During dosing, babies may have brief dips in oxygen and heart rate or temporary blockage of the breathing tube, which the team manages closely.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Beractant — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Beractant is a pulmonary surfactant, a natural substance, here derived from animal lungs, that coats the inside of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) and stops them collapsing. It is used to treat or help prevent respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies, a serious breathing problem that happens because very premature lungs have not yet made enough of their own surfactant. It is given directly into the baby's lungs through a breathing tube, only in a neonatal unit by specialists trained to give it and to support the baby's breathing.
How it works
The tiny air sacs in the lungs are lined with surfactant, which lowers surface tension so they can stay open and exchange oxygen with each breath. Premature babies may not yet make enough, so their air sacs tend to collapse, making breathing very hard, which is respiratory distress syndrome. Beractant replaces the missing surfactant, helping the air sacs stay open so the baby can breathe more easily and take in oxygen. It is given straight into the lungs through a breathing tube so it spreads where it is needed, and the baby's breathing support is adjusted as the lungs improve.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A neonatal medicine given into the lungs of premature babies who have respiratory distress syndrome because their lungs are not yet making enough natural surfactant.
Practical use
How to take Beractant
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given by neonatal specialists into the baby's lungs through a breathing tube, in hospital only.
- The baby is closely monitored during and after dosing, as oxygen and heart rate can dip briefly.
- Breathing support is adjusted as the lungs improve, carefully and gradually.
- More than one dose may be given if the baby needs it, as the team decides.
- Parents are kept informed, including that it is an animal-derived product.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Beractant
Advantages
- Replaces missing surfactant so the air sacs stay open and the baby can breathe more easily.
- Treats and helps prevent respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies.
- Given directly into the lungs so it works where it is needed.
Disadvantages
- Can cause brief dips in oxygen and heart rate, or temporary breathing-tube blockage, during dosing.
- Given only by neonatal specialists through a breathing tube in hospital.
- An animal-derived product, which some families wish to be informed about.
Practical use
Good to know
Beractant is a hospital, neonatal-specialist treatment: it is given by the team caring for premature babies, through a breathing tube, with the baby closely monitored throughout. The most important things to expect are during the dosing itself: babies may have brief dips in their oxygen levels and heart rate, or the breathing tube may become temporarily blocked, and the team is ready to manage these straight away by adjusting the breathing support. Because it is derived from animal lungs, it is an animal-based product, which families are usually informed about. As the surfactant takes effect, the baby's oxygen levels and breathing usually improve, and the amount of breathing support can be eased back, which the team does carefully and gradually. Sometimes more than one dose is given.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It is given only to babies for whom the neonatal team judges it appropriate, under specialist care.
- It is given with extra care if a baby is very unstable, with close monitoring during dosing.
- It is not a treatment used outside the neonatal hospital setting.
Monitoring
- Close monitoring of oxygen, heart rate and breathing during and after dosing.
- Adjusting breathing support as the lungs respond.
- Watching for rare problems such as lung bleeding or infection.
Side effects
- Brief dips in oxygen levels and heart rate during dosing.
- Temporary blockage of the breathing tube during or just after giving it.
- Rarely, lung bleeding or infection, which the neonatal team watches for and manages.
Key interactions
- It is used alongside the baby's breathing support, which is adjusted as the lungs improve.
- There are no everyday medicine interactions in the usual sense, as it is given by specialists.
- The team coordinates its use with all the baby's other care.
Available as: A suspension given into the lungs through a breathing tube.
Answers
Beractant: frequently asked questions
What is beractant used for?
It is a lung surfactant given to premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome, a breathing problem caused by their lungs not yet making enough natural surfactant.
How is it given?
It is given by neonatal specialists directly into the baby's lungs through a breathing tube, in hospital, with the baby closely monitored.
Why might the baby's oxygen dip during dosing?
Brief dips in oxygen and heart rate, or temporary blockage of the breathing tube, can happen during dosing, and the team manages these straight away.
Is it derived from animals?
Yes, beractant is an animal-derived surfactant, which families are usually informed about as part of consent and care.
Will my baby need more than one dose?
Sometimes more than one dose is given, depending on how the baby's lungs respond, as the neonatal team decides.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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