RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

(RDS)

CONTENT

What is Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Common risk factors

What are the signs and symptoms

How is it treated

When will my baby feel better

What can a parent do

WHAT IS RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

  1. Respiratory Distress Syndrome is commonly known as RDS. It is also known as Hyaline Membrane Disease.
  2. It is a breathing (lung) problem seen primarily in premature babies because their lungs are immature.
  3. RDS may be mild or severe.
  4. Immature lungs have a limited amount of a special fluid called Surfactant.
  1. This liquid covers the inside of the alveoli (tiny air sacs of the lungs) of the lungs
  2. Surfactant helps the lungs to expand and stay open after birth
  3. It makes it easier for a newborn baby to breathe.
  1. Without enough Surfactant the alveoli collapse (stick together) and block oxygen from coming in and out of the lungs.
  1. When the alveoli collapse the baby must breathe faster and work harder to maintain his oxygen supply.
  1. In other words, the lungs cannot perform (carry out) their function and the baby’s oxygen supply will begin to decrease.

COMMON RISK FACTORS

  1. The greatest risk factor is being born prematurely. The earlier a baby is born the greater the chance that he or she will have RDS.
  2. Other risk factors include:
  1. Babies whose moms have diabetes during the pregnancy
  2. Babies whose moms bleed heavily during the pregnancy
  3. Babies who become cold during the labor and delivery time or during their hospital stay.
  1. Sometimes we do not know the exact cause of the RDS.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  1. The baby may be able to take his first breath without much work.
  2. When the tiny air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs begin to stick together, the baby will have to breathe faster and work harder to open the lungs.
  3. This is a lot of work for a new baby and they get tired very quickly.
  4. Symptoms may include:
  1. Tachypnea (breathing fast)
  2. Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
  3. Grunting (a noise when the baby breathes out)
  4. Nasal flaring
  5. Retractions (the chest sinks in at the ribs and breastbone)
  6. Cyanosis (bluish color).

HOW IS IT TREATED

  1. Each baby is treated individually since each baby has different needs.
  2. The team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and respiratory therapists caring for your baby give your baby breathing support & replace the missing surfactant.
  3. Survanta™is the medication we use to replace the missing surfactant.
  1. Your baby may receive this medicine in the delivery room and during the first hours after birth after arriving in the NICU
  2. He may also receive the medicine several times over the first few days of life
  3. Based on your baby’s response to the treatments, a plan is made day by day (and sometimes minute by minute) to give your baby what he needs to breathe as easily as possible.
  1. Breathing support may include any or all of the following
  1. Oxygen
  2. Mechanical ventilation (respirator)
  3. Nasal CPAP
  4. Please ask your baby’s caregivers to explain any of these pieces of equipment that you do not know about or understand.
  1. Other support/treatments may include:
  1. IVs used for giving fluids & medicines or for drawing lab specimens
  2. Antibiotics

WHEN WILL MY BABY FEEL BETTER

  1. Some babies get better more quickly than others.
  2. Usually the baby gets worse over the first 72 hours of life before he starts to slowly improve.
  3. As your baby starts to improve, we will be able to decrease the amount of support your baby needs (this is called weaning).
  4. It is very common for a baby to have ups and downs in their oxygen needs.
  5. It is also common for a baby to wean off some of the breathing support equipment but need it again later.
  6. If you have older children, you might compare weaning to an older child learning to ride a bike—some children get right on and ride the bike right away while others have to keep trying for a while.

WHAT CAN A PARENT DO

  1. Keep up with your baby’s progress each time you visit or call.
  2. An important part of the baby getting better is the parents’ love and concern.
  3. We encourage you to talk and sing to your baby, gently touch them and hold them close if possible. Talk with your baby’s nurse about this.
  4. Your love and attention will go a long way in helping your little one on the road to recovery.
  5. Take care of yourself; get plenty of rest and try avoiding people who are sick (have the flu, a cold, a cough).
  1. If you do get sick—have a fever, cough, a cold or flu—you may want to stay at home and visit when you are feeling better.
  2. If you are unable to visit, please call frequently and check on your baby.

Reviewed/Revised: 09/98…..09/11

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