Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns
Overview
Causes
RDS happens when an infant's lungs have not developed enough. Immature lungs lack a fluid called surfactant that helps the lungs open wide and take in air. The lungs do not open well without it. This makes it hard to breathe.
Respiratory System of an Infant |
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Risk Factors
RDS is more common in:
- Babies who are born very early
- Males
- Babies born to mothers with diabetes
Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Lack of oxygen during birth
- The baby's blood entering the mother's circulation before or during delivery
- Cesarean section delivery
- Multiple birth
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Problems usually happen right after birth or within a few hours. They may be:
- Rapid breathing
- Pauses in breathing
- Grunting noise with every breath
- A chest that sinks in between the ribs or under the ribcage with each breath
- Flaring of the nostrils
- Blue color around the lips
Treatments
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to support and promote breathing. This can be done with:
- Oxygen therapy or breathing support
- Surfactant to help open the lungs
- Inhaled nitric oxide to make it easier for oxygen to pass into the blood
- Nutrition therapy with an IV or a feeding tube
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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