A major UK clinical trial has found that surfactant therapy did not improve outcomes for babies with severe bronchiolitis, according to reporting from News Medical based on study results published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine on March 21, 2026. The findings come from the Bronchiolitis Endotracheal Surfactant Study, or BESS, described as the largest randomized study of surfactant for bronchiolitis.
What the trial examined
The research focused on severe bronchiolitis, a serious respiratory illness in infants that can require intensive treatment. The trial evaluated whether surfactant therapy could help improve recovery in the most severe cases. Instead, the results showed no benefit, suggesting the approach should not be expected to change outcomes in this setting.
Why the result matters for clinicians
The trial was funded through a partnership involving the UKRI Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA. Because the study was large and randomized, its negative result is likely to carry weight in clinical discussions about how severe bronchiolitis is treated in hospitals.
The finding is also important because bronchiolitis places pressure on paediatric services, particularly during seasonal surges. A treatment that appears promising in theory but does not deliver measurable benefit in a robust trial can help narrow the focus to approaches that are more likely to help patients.
A reminder that rigorous trials can reshape practice
Although the study did not identify a useful role for surfactant in severe bronchiolitis, the result still provides clarity for doctors and researchers. Negative findings can be just as valuable as positive ones when they come from well-designed trials, because they reduce uncertainty and can prevent resources from being directed toward ineffective care.
For now, the study adds to the evidence base around bronchiolitis management and underscores the importance of large, randomized research before a treatment is adopted more widely. The full report has been published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine and summarized by News Medical. Source article
As researchers continue to look for better options, the BESS trial offers a clear message: surfactant therapy should not be assumed to help severe bronchiolitis unless stronger evidence says otherwise.
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