What it means
Surfactant is a slippery substance that keeps the tiny air sacs (alveolusal-VEE-uh-lus (plural alveoli, al-VEE-uh-ly)One of the tiny air sacs at the ends of the smallest airways in the lungs.Full entry ) from collapsing. Babies born early, before the lungs make enough of it, struggle to keep their lungs open. Signs start soon after birth: fast breathing, grunting, flaring of the nostrils, chest retractions and cyanosis. Treatment includes surfactant given into the airway and breathing support. Steroids given to the mother before an early birth help the baby's lungs mature. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adults is a different condition.
For the nurse
Watch the newborn's breathing rate and effort, color and oxygen saturation, keep the baby warm, and handle them gently to save their energy.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | RDS |
|---|---|
| Spanish | síndrome de dificultad respiratoria |
| Also written | RDS, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome |
Related terms
cyanosis
A blue or gray color of the skin, lips or nail beds.
alveolus
One of the tiny air sacs at the ends of the smallest airways in the lungs.
syndrome
A group of signs and symptoms that tend to occur together and make up a recognized condition.
newborn
A baby in the first 28 days of life.
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure: a steady flow of pressurized air through a mask that keeps the airway open.