For Patients/Families

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
Respiratory problems due to lung immaturity. Respiratory distress is a much more inclusive term meaning simply that the child is having problems breathing. Respiratory distress syndrome is a specific condiont that causes respiratory distress in newborn babies due to the absence of surfactant in the lungs.

The lungs do not completely mature until 33-37 weeks gestation. In prematurely born infants with immature lungs, there is a deficiency of surfactant. Without surfactant, the alveoli (or air sacs) collapse during exhalation. These collapsed air sacs can only be reopened with increased work of breathing. Severe cases require ventilators and breathing tubes.

Surfactant medication can be instilled into the lungs and serves as a replacement for natural surfactant until the baby starts to manufacture her own, natural surfactant.