Respiratory distress syndrome (infants)

Alternative names:

hyaline membrane disease; RDS

Symptoms:

• rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• unusual breathing movement--drawing back of the chest muscles with breathing (see intercostal retractions)
• shortness of breath, and grunting sounds while breathing
• nasal flaring
• cessation of breathing (apnic episode)
• bluish coloration of the skin and mucus membranes (cyanosis)

Signs and tests:

• A blood gas analysis shows low oxygen and acidosis.
• A chest X-ray shows findings consistent with respiratory distress.
• Pulmonary function studies may be necessary.
• blood cultures and a sepsis work-up are usually done to rule out infection and sepsis as a cause of the respiratory distress