respiratory distress syndrome noun
: a respiratory disorder chiefly of newborn premature infants that is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs resulting in labored breathing, lung collapse, and hypoxemia
First Known Use of RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME
respiratory distress syndrome noun (Medical Dictionary)
: a respiratory disorder that occurs in newborn premature infants and is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs, by failure of the lungs to expand and contract properly during breathing with resulting collapse, and by the accumulation of a protein-containing film lining the alveoli and their ducts—abbreviation RDS; called also hyaline membrane disease; see acute respiratory distress syndrome
respiratory distress syndrome noun (Concise Encyclopedia)
Common complication in newborns, especially after premature birth. Symptoms include very laboured breathing, bluish skin tinge, and low blood oxygen levels. Insufficient surfactant in the pulmonary alveoli raises surface tension, hampering lung expansion. The alveoli collapse (see atelectasis), and a glassy (hyaline) membrane develops in the alveolar ducts. Once the leading cause of death in premature infants, the syndrome is now usually treated for a few days with a mechanical ventilator (see respiratory therapy), with no aftereffects. An adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can follow lung injury.
Variants of RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME
respiratory distress syndrome or hyaline membrane disease
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