What complication can result from untreated respiratory distress in the newborn?
What Is ARDS?Acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, is a condition in which harmful amounts of fluid collect in your lungs and interfere with breathing. This reduces the amount of oxygen that enters your bloodstream and that reaches your organs. Show
ARDS is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a serious health condition that commonly affects newborns, especially premature babies. Many babies born earlier than 34 weeks develop this condition, which affects a baby’s breathing. Most newborns with RDS need extra help to breathe properly in the first few days — sometimes weeks — of life. Causes?ARDS occurs when small blood vessels in your body leak fluid into your lungs. The underlying cause of this leak varies, but it generally happens after an injury or illness. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome happens when a baby’s air sacs (in the lungs) don’t function properly. This is due to the lack of surfactant, a liquid made by the lungs that helps to keep airways open. When a baby’s body doesn’t produce enough of this substance — which can happen when a baby is born too soon — it makes breathing difficult. Without treatment, babies with RDS will struggle to breathe on their own. Acute respiratory distress syndrome causes:
Symptoms?Infants with respiratory distress syndrome may experience different symptoms to varying degrees. If you have any reason to believe your baby may be struggling to breathe, you should seek immediate medical care. Common symptoms of RDS include:
Risk FactorsAcute respiratory distress syndrome often results from an underlying condition. There are several risk factors for developing ARDS. Risk factors:
AgeOlder adults are more at risk than younger people for developing ARDS. As you get older, your lungs naturally get weaker and have a harder time moving oxygen through your body. Chronic Lung DiseaseIf you suffer from chronic lung disease, you are more susceptible to getting ARDS. People with chronic lung disease have heightened levels of inflammation in their lungs. Inflammation can impact lung function. History of Substance Use and AbuseProlonged use of tobacco products and abuse of alcohol can harm your liver and lungs. Smoking is an irritant to the lungs. This irritability can cause inflammation that leads to ARDS. Toxic ShockToxic shock is a severe illness caused by a widespread infection of bacteria. Infection is the most common cause of ARDS. Liver FailureLiver failure is when your liver stops working. It can cause death or serious and permanent damage to your body. The liver filters toxins from your body. When your liver stops working, more toxins stay in your body and can result in infections and inflammation. Diagnosis?ARDS is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires emergency care. After a physical exam, your doctor may use a variety of tests to make an ARDS diagnosis. There is no single test to diagnose the disease. Diagnostic tests for acute respiratory distress syndrome:
Immediately after babies are born, a medical team closely examines them, including their breathing ability, for potential health concerns. If doctors suspect a newborn may have respiratory distress syndrome, they can perform one or more tests, including:
ComplicationsYou may experience complications from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Complications can occur during your stay in the hospital or after you leave the hospital. Some of the complications are serious. Possible ARDS complications:
Treatment?Acute respiratory distress syndrome treatment usually involves oxygen, fluids, and medication. The first and primary step in treatment is usually to manage the oxygen levels in your body. ARDS Treatment
The way doctors care for a baby with RDS will depend on the specific circumstances and health challenges a baby faces. At Baptist Health, our neonatal specialists have experience treating many different health conditions that affect newborns, including RDS. If your baby has respiratory distress syndrome, your doctor may recommend:
With the right treatment, many infants with RDS start getting better after three to four days. Babies with RDS may need to spend a few days (or longer) in a NICU until they are healthy enough to head home. A NICU is specifically designed to care for babies who need extra help in the first days and weeks of life outside the womb. In the NICU, a neonatal care team watches babies closely, providing a high level of care for any baby that should need extra attention. PreventionYou can help prevent ARDS with lifestyle changes. However, there is no scientifically proven way to entirely prevent ARDS. ARDS prevention:
What happens if respiratory distress is not treated?With acute respiratory failure, you experience immediate symptoms from not having enough oxygen in your body. In most cases, this failure may lead to death if it's not treated quickly.
What are the complications of respiratory distress syndrome?Bleeding in the brain, which can delay cognitive development or cause intellectual disabilities or cerebral palsy. Lung complications, such as air leaking from the lung into the chest cavity, called pneumothorax, or bleeding in the lungs. Impaired vision. Infections that can cause sepsis.
What is the main problem with infants with respiratory distress syndrome?Newborn respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) happens when a baby's lungs are not fully developed and cannot provide enough oxygen, causing breathing difficulties. It usually affects premature babies.
What are 4 common signs of respiratory distress in a newborn?Signs and Symptoms
Grunting “ugh” sound with each breath. Changes in color of lips, fingers and toes. Widening (flaring) of the nostrils with each breath. Chest retractions - skin over the breastbone and ribs pulls in during breathing.
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