Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a breathing disorder in premature babies that is most often caused by their inability to produce surfactant. Surfactant is the fatty substance that coats the tiny sacs in the lungs to keep them from collapsing.... Full Answer

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (neonatal RDS) is most common in premature babies. Babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy are most likely to develop neonatal RDS. Other babies may develop neonatal RDS if they are at high risk for the... Full Answer

The goals of treatment of the infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) are: To decrease the amount of energy used by the infant to accomplish the work of breathing and To maintain adequate blood gases to prevent organ damage.... Full Answer

The diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) begins with gathering information about the infant gestational age at birth and any maternal history or events during the labor and birth process associated with RDS. The initial examination of the... Full Answer

There are 3 classic symptoms associated with respiratory distress syndrome: Intracostal retractions as the infant uses accessory muscles to support the work of ventilation Grunting as the epiglottis attempts to keep air in the lungs Nasal... Full Answer