Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), or hyaline membrane disease, occurs in premature babies who are born less than 35 weeks old. Their lungs have not yet developed surfactant, a substance that prevents the collapse of lungs. The rates of mortality in untreated babies are very high. Fortunately, recombinant or animal-based surfactant can be introduced into the baby's lungs to promote survival.

Treatment protocols may include assisted ventilation, corticosteroid administration, and surfactant delivery. Surfactant is composed of 90% lipid, primarily dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). The presence of this substance reduces the surface tension of the alveoli.