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

High-risk and premature infants require prompt attention by a pediatric resuscitation team.

First, the infant is given high oxygen and humidity concentrations. Infants with mild symptoms are given supplemental oxygen. Those with severe symptoms need a breathing machine to deliver oxygen as well as pressure, which keeps the lungs inflated.

Oxygen and pressure will be reduced as soon as possible to prevent side effects associated with too much oxygen or pressure.

For infants born before 30 weeks of age, an artificial lung surfactant is sometimes delivered through a tube placed into their lungs. This treatment is given only to older babies if the oxygen level drops below a certain level and the doctors believe RDS is present.

The condition may persist or worsen for 2 to 4 days after birth with improvement thereafter. Some infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome will die.

Long-term complications may develop as a result of oxygen toxicity, high pressures delivered to the lungs, the severity of the condition itself, or periods when the brain or other organs did not receive enough oxygen.

• Pneumothorax
• Pneumomediastinum
• Pneumopericardium
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Hemorrhage into the brain (intraventricular bleed)
• Hemorrhage into the lung (sometimes associated with surfactant use)
• Thrombotic events associated with an umbilical arterial catheter
• Retrolental fibroplasia and blindness
• Delayed mental development and mental retardation associated with anoxic brain damage or hemorrhage

This disorder usually develops shortly after birth while the baby is still in the hospital. If you have given birth at home or outside a medical center, seek emergency attention if your baby develops any difficulty breathing.

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.