Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Infants

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a respiratory condition (Read about "Respiratory System") that may occur in newborn, premature babies whose lungs are not fully developed. Immature lungs often lack surfactant, a foamy fluid that is crucial for the air sacs in the lungs to expand and take in air. When there is not enough surfactant, a premature baby has trouble breathing. The chances of developing RDS decrease as the fetus grows. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), 60 percent of babies born less than 28 weeks after conception develop RDS, while only five percent of babies born after 34 weeks of pregnancy develop this condition. Surfactant begins to be produced between the 34th and the 37th week of gestation. About 24,000 babies a year are affected by RDS.

ALA lists the following symptoms of RDS in infants:

• difficulty breathing
• rapid, shallow breathing
• grunting noise with every breath
• flaring of the nostrils
• blue color around lips and nail beds from lack of oxygen

The symptoms usually start immediately or within a few hours of birth and become more severe.

Infants with RDS may also develop serious life-threatening complications such as pneumothorax, bleeding in the brain, or sepsis. (Read about "Pneumothorax" "The Brain" "Sepsis") If the RDS is severe, the baby may develop injury and scarring of the lung called bronchopulmonary dysplasia. (Read about "Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia")

There are several effective treatments for babies with RDS. Those listed by ALA include:

• IV fluids to prevent dehydration (Read about "Dehydration")
• mechanical respirators to keep the air sacs from collapsing
• surfactant treatment to help the air sacs expand and take in more oxygen
• partial liquid ventilation to supply the lungs with extra oxygen using a special liquid

There are some ways to help prevent RDS. ALA reports treating women at high risk for a premature delivery with certain hormones could help promote development of the lungs. ALA also says administering surfactant at birth may help.

Related Information:

    Baby and Young Child Care

    Newborn Concerns