Pulmonary Surfactants Deficiency in Newborns
Newborns with a deficiency of pulmonary surfactants may experience a condition known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Also known as hyaline membrane disease, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, or infant respiratory distress syndrome, this condition is fairly common in premature newborns whose lungs have not fully developed.
In fully developed, normally functioning lungs, pulmonary surfactants are a slippery substance that coats the insides of the alveoli, or clusters of air sacs. This coating is essential in ensuring that the alveoli do not collapse and can inflate to draw in enough air. Since infants begin producing pulmonary surfactants around 26 to 34 weeks of gestation, those born prematurely may suffer from surfactant deficiency and have trouble breathing without assistance. If untreated, the lack of oxygen could lead to brain and organ damage.
Symptoms of RDS include:
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Sharp pulling in of the chest below and between the ribs with each breath
- Grunting sounds
- Flaring of the nostrils
- Bluish or pale grey coloring of the skin
- Apnea, a condition where the infant may occasionally stop breathing for a few seconds
If a newborn suffers from surfactant deficiency, respiratory distress syndrome is usually diagnosed soon after birth, within a few minutes or hours.
Newborns with RDS require specialized support from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the first few days until they begin producing enough pulmonary surfactants on their own. For the tiniest premature newborns, treatment may start at birth. Treatment options include:
- Artificial surfactant therapy: directly administering surfactant to the infant’s lungs. For some, one dose is enough, but some infants require repeated treatment over the course of two to three days.
- Mechanical ventilator: assists the infant in breathing by pushing air into the lungs through a breathing tube.
- Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP): assists in breathing by continuously pushing air into the lungs through small tubes inserted into the nose.
- Extra oxygen: infants with respiratory distress require a higher level of oxygen. Room air is combined with pure oxygen and is delivered via a ventilator or NCPAP.
Treatment depends on factors such as the infant’s gestational age, the overall health and medical history, the severity of RDS, the doctor’s expectations for the prognosis, and the infant’s tolerance for certain therapies and procedures.
To learn more about Respiratory Distress Infants, feel free to visit Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
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