The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Surfaxin ( lucinactant ) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome ( RDS ), a breathing disorder that affects premature infants. The lungs of premature infants are not able to make enough surfactant, a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs and helps to keep them open. Without enough surfactant, the lungs collapse and the infant has difficulty breathing. Most babies who develop RDS show signs of breathing problems and a lack of oxygen at birth or within the first few hours after birth. Surfaxin is the fifth drug approved i...