Synthetic pulmonary surfactant compositions comprising dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and essentially neutral lipid, and having essentially no 1-palmitoyl 2-oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol and essentially no palmitic acid are provided. Methods for treating respiratory disease are also provided comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a synthetic pulmonary surfactant comprising dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and essentially neutral lipid, and having essentially no 1-palmitoyl 2-oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol and essentially no palmitic acid.
