Respiratory Distress Syndrome

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome 


  due to deficiency of lung surfactant
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome aka Hyaline Membrane Syndrome
• RDS

  Signs and symptoms:

  • inspiratory to expiratory grunting
  • sternal retractions
  • nasal flaring
  • tachypnea
• RDS

  DX: Shake's Test or Foam Stability Test

  • combination of amniotic fluid and ethanol
  • shakes test tube for 3-5 minutes
  • bubbles (stable) will be formed
• RDS

  Management:

  • Mother - preterm labor

  injection of Bethametasone for lung maturity to prevent severe RDS

  • Beractant or exosurf

  artificial surfactant (route: intratracheal)

  *DO NOT SUCTION AFTER 48 hours