At approximately which gestational week does surfactant production begin?

• A. Week 20
• B. Week 24
• C. Week 28
• D. Week 32

Answer: (C)

Surfactant production in the fetal lungs begins around the 24th week of gestation and becomes more significant as the pregnancy progresses. By approximately the 28th week, the production of surfactant is considerably increased, and it is critical for reducing surface tension in the alveoli, which aids in preventing alveolar collapse at birth. By week 32, surfactant levels are quite high, greatly enhancing the fetus's ability to breathe air at delivery.

Understanding this timeline is important because inadequate surfactant can lead to respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. Therefore, recognizing that the majority of surfactant production ramps up significantly around the 28th week highlights its critical role in fetal lung development and readiness for postnatal life.