Bioethical aspects related to the administration of surfacen® in The preterm newborn

Abstract

Introduction: Medical ethics is a manifestation of the moral standards of society in the practice of medicine that includes all health professions.

Objective: To determine the bioethical aspects related to the administration of exogenous surfactant, Surfacen®, in preterm newborns.

Methods: Bibliographic search in primary sources of information in Pubmed, SciELO, LILACS and in the Clínica Key platform, from 2017 to 2021 on the bioethical aspects related to the administration of surfactant. Different keywords such as exogenous surfactant, surfacen, ethics and bioethics were used.

Analysis and synthesis of information: The promptness of surfactant administration is advocated, which conspires with the search for informed consent, which must be a priority issue to comply with the principle of autonomy. The survival of patients behaves in a similar way in the different regions of the country, which translates equality of resources and technical preparation, which are indicators of the principle of justice. The principle of beneficence is demonstrated in studies in which the efficacy, effectiveness and safety in the use of Surfacen® and non-maleficence have been proven; it is expressed in its relationship with non-invasive modalities of mechanical ventilation and the less invasive particularities in its administration.

Conclusions: Informed consent should be obtained as part of the usual medical practice in therapeutic indications and ensure that the principles of justice, beneficence and non-maleficence identified with the use of Surfacen® are complied.