system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
Loss of pulmonary surfactant in premature infant causes __________
assistant
The correct answer is  Surfactant dysfunction is a lung disorder that causes breathing problems. Without normal surfactant, the tissue surrounding the air sacs in the lungs (the alveoli) sticks together (because of a force called surface tension) after exhalation, causing the alveoli to collapse. Reference: GHAI Essential pediatrics, 8th edition