Respiratory distress syndrome occurs when a premature baby's lungs have not yet produced enough surfactant, the substance that keeps the tiny air sacs open during breathing. It is most common before 34 weeks of gestation. Without adequate surfactant, the lungs struggle to stay expanded and the baby works significantly harder to breathe. Treatment ranges from gentle non-invasive respiratory support such as CPAP through to ventilation and direct surfactant replacement administered into the airway in more severe cases. When a premature birth is anticipated, antenatal steroids given to the mother beforehand accelerate the baby's lung maturity and can meaningfully reduce the severity of RDS, making this one of the most important conversations to have with the obstetric team before delivery.
Written by Dr. Kabir Nanda, MD Paediatrics, Fellowship in Neonatology (NNF Accredited), Diploma in Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Pediatrician, Neonatologist, Allergist and Immunologist, Sukhmani Hospital, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, and Westend Hospital, Tilak Nagar, New Delhi. Phone: +91 8076178418.
