Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in infants

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Lungs

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

• Rapid breathing
• Unusual breathing movement -- drawing back of the chest muscles with breathing (see intercostal retractions)
• Shortness of breath and grunting sounds while breathing
• Nasal flaring
• Breathing stops briefly
• Bluish color of the skin and mucus membranes
• Arms or legs puffy or swollen

• A blood gas analysis shows low oxygen and acidosis.
• A chest x-ray indicates respiratory distress (the lungs develop a characteristic "ground glass" appearance).
• Lung function studies may be necessary.
• Blood cultures and a sepsis work-up are usually done to rule out infection and sepsis as a cause of the respiratory distress.

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.