Treatment of Respiratory Distress Disorder
For newborns diagnosed with respiratory distress disorder, artificial surfactant therapy is an important and viable treatment option.
Respiratory distress disorder is mainly caused by insufficient levels of surfactant in the lungs. Surfactant is an oily substance made of phospholipids and proteins; it lines the insides of the lungs and facilitates proper breathing by preventing the clusters of air sacs in the lungs from collapsing. Premature infants are at risk for respiratory distress disorder because their lungs may not be fully developed and they may not have produced enough surfactant. Those born before 28 weeks of pregnancy are at especially high risk.
Newborns with respiratory distress disorder will begin to produce sufficient levels of surfactant within a few days. However, until then, they must receive treatment and breathing assistance. One treatment method is artificial surfactant therapy. This involves the administration of artificial surfactants such as Infasurf, Survanta, or Curosurf directly into the infant’s lungs through a breathing tube gently inserted into the mouth and down the windpipe. Breathing is then assisted by hand or the breathing tube is connected to a mechanical ventilator, pushing the surfactant deep into the lungs. The dosage amount
is determined by weight; for example, Infasurf should be administered at a ratio of 3ml per 1kg body weight.
In addition to artificial surfactant therapy, the course of treatment depends on factors including the infant’s gestational age; his or her overall health and medical history; the severity of the respiratory distress; the expected prognosis; and the infant’s tolerance for particular therapies and procedures.
Other treatment methods include:
- Ventilators: These take over the effort required to breathe by pushing air into the lungs through a breathing tube. The more severe the case of respiratory distress disorder, the higher the pressure required to ensure a full breath. As breathing improves, the pressure is lowered.
- Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP): This method is increasingly used to assist with breathing by delivering pressurized air through tubes inserted into the nose. NCPAP provides a continuous push of air to prevent the lungs from re-collapsing.
- Oxygen therapy: Newborns with respiratory distress disorder require extra oxygen delivered through ventilators or NCPAP. Oxygen levels can also improved by inhaling nitric oxide or through extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which directly puts oxygen into the bloodstream and circulates it back into the body through a pump.
To prevent or minimize the risk of respiratory distress disorder, the mother should see a doctor regularly during pregnancy; follow a healthy diet and avoid alcohol, and illegal drugs; prevent infection. In the case of a planned c-section, tests can be performed to determine if the infant’s lungs are developed.
To learn more about Respiratory Distress Infants, feel free to visit Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
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