children s health issues
Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns
Symptoms of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns
In affected newborns, the lungs are stiff and the air sacs tend to collapse completely, emptying the lungs of air. In some very premature newborns, the lungs may be so stiff that the newborns are unable to begin breathing at birth. More commonly, newborns try to breathe, but because the lungs are so stiff, severe trouble breathing (respiratory distress) occurs. Symptoms of respiratory distress include Visibly labored and rapid breathing Retractions (pulling in of the chest muscles attached to the ribs and below the ribs during rapid breathing) Flaring of the nostrils during breathing in Grunting while breathing out Because much of the lung is airless in this condition, newborns with respiratory distress syndrome have low levels of oxygen in the blood, which causes a bluish or gray discoloration to the skin and/or lips ( Cyanosis ). In newborns of color, the skin may change to colors such as yellow-gray, gray, or white. These changes may be more easily seen in the mucous membranes lining the inside of the mouth, nose, and eyelids. Over a period of hours, the respiratory distress tends to become more severe as the muscles used for breathing tire, the small amount of surfactant in the lungs is used up, and increasing numbers of air sacs collapse. If the low oxygen levels are not treated, newborns may have damage to their brain and other organs and may die. 