Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Question 1

What is Respiratory Distress Syndrome?

Answer 1

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome affects premature neonates who were born before the lungs start producing adequate surfactant

Question 2

What age does Respiratory Distress Syndrome commonly occur?

Answer 2

• Below 32 weeks

Question 3

What is seen on Chest Xray for RDS?

Answer 3

• Ground- Glass appearance

Question 4

What is the Pathophysiology of RDS?

Answer 4

• Inadequate surfactant leads to a high surface tension within the alveoli.
• This leads to atelectasis as it is more difficult for the lungs to expand
• This leads to inadequate gaseous exchange, resulting in hypoxia, hypercapnia and respiratory distress

Question 5

What is the Management of RDS?

Answer 5

• Antenatal Steroids (dexamethasone) given to mothers with suspected/ confirmed preterm labours
• This increases the production of surfactant and reduces the severity of RDS.
• Intubation and Ventilation
• Endotracheal Surfactant (artificial surfactant delivered into the lungs via an endotracheal tube)
• CPAP
• Supplementary oxygen

Question 6

What are the short term complications of RDS?

Answer 6

• Pneumothorax
• Infection
• Apnoea
  -IVH
• Pulmonary Haemorrhage
• NEC