Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in infants

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Lungs

Respiratory distress syndrome is one of the most common lung disorders in premature infants. The condition makes it hard to breathe.

See also: ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome).

Hyaline membrane disease; Infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS); Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; RDS - infants

Respiratory distress syndrome affects 10% of all premature infants. It rarely affects those born full-term.

The disease occurs when the lungs lack a chemical that helps them inflate with air and keeps the air sacs from collapsing. This chemical, called lung surfactant, normally appears in mature lungs.

The lack of this chemical causes the air sacs to collapse and prevents the child from breathing properly. Symptoms usually appear shortly after birth and slowly become more severe.

Risk factors are prematurity, diabetes in the mother, and delivery complications that lead to acidosis in the newborn at birth.

Review Date: 08/18/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.