respiratory distress syndrome
- respiratory distress syndrome
the condition of a newborn infant in which the lungs are imperfectly expanded. Initial inflation and normal expansion of the lungs requires the presence of a substance (
surfactant) that reduces the surface tension of the air sacs (
alveoli) and prevents collapse of the small airways. Without surfactant the airways collapse, leading to inefficient and 'stiff' lungs. The condition is most common and serious among preterm infants, in whom surfactant is liable to be deficient. It lasts 5-10 days, with worsening on days 2-3. Breathing is rapid, laboured, and shallow, and microscopic examinations of lung tissue in fatal cases has revealed the presence of
hyalin material in the collapsed air sacs. The condition is treated by careful nursing, intravenous fluids, and oxygen, with or without positive pressure by a
respirator. Recently, surfactant administered at birth has produced encouraging results.
Medical dictionary.
2011.
Look at other dictionaries:
respiratory distress syndrome — n a respiratory disorder that occurs in newborn premature infants and is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs, by failure of the lungs to expand and contract properly during breathing with resulting … Medical dictionary
Respiratory distress syndrome — There are two forms of respiratory distress syndrome: * ARDS, which is acute (or adult ) respiratory distress syndrome * Infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which is a complication of premature birth, also known as hyaline membrane… … Wikipedia
Respiratory Distress Syndrome — Klassifikation nach ICD 10 J80 Atemnotsyndrom des Erwachsenen [ARDS] … Deutsch Wikipedia
Respiratory distress syndrome — Klassifikation nach ICD 10 J80 Atemnotsyndrom des Erwachsenen [ARDS] … Deutsch Wikipedia
respiratory distress syndrome — Pathol. 1. Also called hyaline membrane disease. an acute lung disease of the newborn, occurring primarily in premature babies and babies born to ill mothers, characterized by rapid breathing, flaring of the nostrils, inelastic lungs, edema of… … Universalium
respiratory distress syndrome — noun an acute lung disease of the newborn (especially the premature newborn); lungs cannot expand because of a wetting agent is lacking; characterized by rapid shallow breathing and cyanosis and the formation of a glassy hyaline membrane over the … Useful english dictionary
respiratory distress syndrome — hyaline membrane disease the condition of a newborn infant in which the lungs are imperfectly expanded. Initial inflation and normal expansion of the lungs requires the presence of a substance (surfactant) that reduces the surface tension of the… … The new mediacal dictionary
respiratory distress syndrome of newborns — ▪ pathology also called hyaline membrane disease a common complication in infants, especially in premature newborns, characterized by extremely laboured breathing, cyanosis (a bluish tinge to the skin or mucous membranes), and abnormally… … Universalium
respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn — noun an acute lung disease of the newborn (especially the premature newborn); lungs cannot expand because of a wetting agent is lacking; characterized by rapid shallow breathing and cyanosis and the formation of a glassy hyaline membrane over the … Useful english dictionary
respiratory distress syndrome of newborn — neonatal respiratory distress s … Medical dictionary
respiratory distress syndrome — noun Date: 1964 a respiratory disorder chiefly of newborn premature infants that is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs resulting in labored breathing, lung collapse, and hypoxemia … New Collegiate Dictionary
