​The lungs of premature newborns do not produce enough surfactant, an essential mixture of lipids and protein required for air sacs expansion.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a condition that affects babies with very low birth weight (VLBW).

Without surfactant, air sacs are not expanded sufficiently for gas exchange. Additionally, some premature babies do not have the required strength during the first few days of life to breathe effectively.

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Air Leak

Diagnosis is made based on physical examination, blood tests and chest X-rays. Babies with RDS are usually treated with surfactant and with the aid of either a ventilator or CPAP.

Complication
In some cases of severe RDS, air may leak out of the airways which prevents the lung from expanding. This can be promptly treated by inserting a tube into the lung cavity to drain out the air.

Severity is determined by several factors, including the degree of prematurity and maternal conditions prior to delivery. The more premature a baby is, the more severe will be the expected RDS. Administering antenatal corticosteroids to pregnant women can reduce the risk of RDS in the premature newborn by about 40%. Between 2015 and 2019, 142 out of 268 (53%) VLBW babies in our department received surfactant replacement therapy for RDS.