Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in infants

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lungs

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in infants

Alternative Names:

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

Treatment:

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 are managed on a ventilator to deliver both oxygen and pressure to keep the lungs inflated.

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

An artificial lung surfactant is sometimes delivered through an endotracheal tube into the lungs of an infant at high risk for respiratory distress syndrome immediately after birth. Studies find that this treatment can prevent or improve the course of respiratory distress syndrome. Enough research has been done on surfactants to show that they reduce death from IRDS.

Expectations (prognosis):

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.

Complications:

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

Calling your health care provider:

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: 7/15/2004
Reviewed By: John Goldenring, M.D., MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.