Infant respiratory distress syndrome

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Synonyms	Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, Hyaline membrane disease
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Rapid breathing, grunting, nasal flaring, cyanosis
Complications	Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Patent ductus arteriosus
Onset	Within hours of birth
Duration	Days to weeks
Types	N/A
Causes	Surfactant deficiency
Risks	Premature birth, Maternal diabetes
Diagnosis	Clinical presentation, chest X-ray
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Surfactant replacement therapy, Oxygen therapy, Mechanical ventilation
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common in premature infants
Deaths	N/A

Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS), also known as Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome or Hyaline Membrane Disease, is a condition commonly seen in premature infants. It is primarily caused by a deficiency of surfactant, a substance that helps keep the air sacs in the lungs open.

Pathophysiology

Surfactant is a lipoprotein complex that reduces surface tension within the alveoli, preventing their collapse during exhalation. In infants born prematurely, the lungs may not have produced enough surfactant, leading to increased surface tension, alveolar collapse, and impaired gas exchange. This results in the clinical symptoms of IRDS.

Symptoms

Symptoms of IRDS typically appear within the first few hours after birth and include:

• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Grunting sounds during exhalation
• Flaring of the nostrils
• Cyanosis (bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and is confirmed by a chest X-ray, which typically shows a "ground glass" appearance and air bronchograms.

Treatment

Treatment for IRDS includes:

• Surfactant replacement therapy: Administered directly into the infant's lungs to reduce surface tension and improve breathing.
• Oxygen therapy: To maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood.
• Mechanical ventilation: In severe cases, to assist with breathing.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for infants with IRDS is generally good. However, some infants may develop complications such as Bronchopulmonary dysplasia or Patent ductus arteriosus.

Prevention

Preventive measures include administering corticosteroids to the mother before delivery if premature birth is anticipated. This helps accelerate lung maturity and surfactant production in the fetus.

Also see

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Surfactant
• Premature birth
• Neonatology