Section Review: Prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome: Pulmonary-Allergy, Dermatological, Gastrointestinal & Arthritis

Abstract

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), or hyaline membrane disease, remains the most frequent clinical problem encountered among preterm infants [1]. RDS is also the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in this population of neonates [2]. Premature infants develop RDS because they have immature lungs that are deficient in surfactant. As a result, they require ventilatory support to maintain adequate gas exchange and this support can cause lung injury [3]. Lung injury increases the patient's ventilatory needs and the cycle of lung injury is propagated. If this cycle is not interrupted, respiratory failure progresses and the premature neonate dies. The purpose of this review is to discuss the pathophysiology of RDS and to review recent therapeutic interventions for its prevention and treatment.