Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

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

The symptoms usually appear within minutes of birth, although they may not be seen for several hours. Symptoms may include:

• Bluish color of the skin and mucus membranes (cyanosis)
• Brief stop in breathing (apnea)
• Decreased urine output
• Grunting
• Nasal flaring
• Rapid breathing
• Shallow breathing
• Shortness of breath and grunting sounds while breathing
• Unusual breathing movement -- drawing back of the chest muscles with breathing

A blood gas analysis shows low oxygen and excess acid in the body fluids.

A chest x-ray shows the lungs have a characteristic "ground glass" appearance, which often develops 6 to 12 hours after birth.

Lab tests are done to rule out infection and sepsis as a cause of the respiratory distress.

Review Date: 05/09/2011
Reviewed By: Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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