What is RDS?RDS is a common breathing disorder that affects newborns. RDS occurs most often in babies born before their due date, usually before 28 weeks of pregnancy. Less often, RDS can affect full-term newborns. Show Most newborns who have RDS survive. However, these babies may need extra medical care after going home. Some babies have complications from RDS or its treatment, including the development of another lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia. What are the symptoms?Symptoms of RDS include:
How will a doctor find out whether a newborn has RDS?RDS is common in premature newborns, but doctors may need to run tests to rule out other types of newborn breathing conditions. After doing a physical examination to look at a newborn’s symptoms, your provider may order one or more of the tests below.
What causes RDS?RDS is caused by a lack of surfactant in the lungs. The lungs of a fetus start making surfactant during the third trimester, which starts after the 26th week of pregnancy. Surfactant is a foamy substance that keeps the lungs fully expanded so that newborns can breathe in air once they are born. Without it, the lungs collapse, and the newborn must work hard to breathe. This can cause the baby’s organs to be without necessary levels of oxygen. If a full-term baby develops RDS, it may be because they have faulty genes that affect how their bodies make surfactant. How is RDS treated?The earlier a baby is born, the more likely they are to have RDS that cannot be prevented. Nearly all babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy will have RDS. With treatment, many newborns that are diagnosed with RDS will recover. Some common treatments include those listed below.
If a baby born with RDS still requires breathing support by the time they reach their original due date, they are diagnosed with a condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Depending on how serious their RDS is, they may also develop other medical conditions, including:
What does it mean when they say the baby is in distress?Fetal distress, also called “nonreassuring fetal status,” is the term medical professionals use to describe when a fetus is not receiving adequate oxygen during pregnancy or labor (1). Fetal distress is an indication that the baby may not be doing well in utero.
What causes distress in newborn?Newborn respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) happens when a baby's lungs are not fully developed and cannot provide enough oxygen, causing breathing difficulties. It usually affects premature babies. It's also known as infant respiratory distress syndrome, hyaline membrane disease or surfactant deficiency lung disease.
How do I know if my newborn is in distress?Signs and Symptoms
Is your child breathing faster than usual? Retractions - Check to see if the chest pulls in with each breath, especially around the collarbone and around the ribs. Nasal flaring - Check to see if nostrils widen when breathing in.
What happens if your baby is in distress?Fetal distress can have lasting effects on your baby. Prolonged lack of oxygen during delivery can lead to brain injury, cerebral palsy or even stillbirth. If your baby is in distress, your provider will make every attempt to deliver your baby safely and before severe complications arise.
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