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Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome - Symptom

Alternative Names

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

Symptoms:

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
Puffy or swollen arms or legs
Rapid breathing
Shallow breathing
Shortness of breath and grunting sounds while breathing
Unusual breathing movement -- drawing back of the chest muscles with breathing

Signs and tests:

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

A chest x-ray shows respiratory distress. The lungs have a characteristic "ground glass" appearance, which often develops 6 to 12 hours after birth. Lung function studies may be needed.

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

Reviewed last on: 9/5/2007
Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford UniversitySchool of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief MedicalOfficer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Cloherty J, Stark A, Eichenwald E. Manual of Neonatal Care. 5th ed. Lippincott, Wilkins and Williams; 2003.

Cole FS. Defects in surfactant synthesis: clinical implications. Pediatr Clin North Am. Oct 2006; 53(5): 911-27.

Courtney SE. Continuous positive airway pressure and noninvasive ventilation. Clin Perinatol. Mar 2007; 34(1): 73-92.

Kinsella JP, Inhaled nitric oxide in the premature newborn. J Pediatr. Jul 2007; 151(1): 10-5.

Lampland AL. The role of high-frequency ventilation in neonates: evidence-based recommendations. Clin Perinatol. Mar 2007; 34(1): 129-44.

Stevens TP. Surfactant replacement therapy. Chest. May 2007; 131(5): 1577-82.

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