Respiratory Distress Syndrome Specialists in Karnataka

What is Respiratory Distress Syndrome?

Respiratory distress syndrome is a breathing disorder that primarily affects premature newborns whose lungs have not yet produced enough surfactant, a substance that helps keep the tiny air sacs in the lungs open and prevents them from collapsing. Without adequate surfactant, the lungs struggle to expand properly, making breathing extremely difficult and reducing the amount of oxygen that can reach the bloodstream. The condition typically becomes apparent within minutes to hours after birth and its severity generally correlates with how premature the infant is, with earlier gestational age carrying higher risk.

Causes of Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Results from insufficient production of surfactant by the developing lungs, a substance normally produced in adequate amounts only later in gestation, making premature infants, particularly those born before 34 weeks, most susceptible. Other risk factors include maternal diabetes, cesarean delivery without labor, multiple births, and a family history of the condition. The lack of surfactant causes the air sacs to collapse with each breath, dramatically increasing the effort required for the infant to breathe.

Symptoms of Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Rapid, labored breathing shortly after birth, grunting sounds with each breath, flaring of the nostrils, visible retractions of the chest wall with breathing, bluish discoloration of the skin or lips, decreased urine output, lethargy, low body temperature

Treatment & Types of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Karnataka

Treatment includes administering surfactant replacement therapy directly into the infant's lungs, which significantly improves lung function and survival. Respiratory support ranging from supplemental oxygen and continuous positive airway pressure to mechanical ventilation is provided based on severity, along with careful temperature regulation and nutritional support in a neonatal intensive care unit. Antenatal corticosteroids given to mothers at risk of preterm delivery help accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the severity of the condition.

Respiratory distress syndrome severity is generally graded by how much respiratory support a newborn requires, ranging from mild cases needing only supplemental oxygen, to moderate cases requiring continuous positive airway pressure, to severe cases requiring mechanical ventilation and surfactant replacement therapy. Severity correlates closely with gestational age at birth, with infants born before 28 weeks typically experiencing more severe disease than those born closer to 34 weeks, since surfactant production increases progressively later in pregnancy.

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