Neonatal Respiratory Disease Syndrome(NRDS) : Information

Introduction : Neonatal Respiratory Disease Syndrome(NRDS)

It is also called asInfant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS). It is a serious medical condition where a newborn baby's lungs cannot provide their body with enough oxygen. NRDS is also known as hyaline membrane disease, infant respiratory distress syndrome or newborn respiratory distress syndrome.

IRDS begins shortly after birth and is manifest by tachypnea, tachycardia, chest wall retractions (recession), expiratory grunting, nasal flaring and cyanosis during breathing efforts.

Clinical course: As the disease progresses, the baby may develop ventilatory failure (rising carbon dioxide concentrations in the blood), and prolonged cessations of breathing ("apnea"). Whether treated or not, the clinical course for the acute disease lasts about 2 to 3 days. During the first day the condition worsens and requires more support. During the second day the baby may be remarkably stable on adequate support and resolution is noted during the third day, with a prompt diuresis.

Despite huge advances in health care, NRDS remains the most common single cause of death in the first month of life in the developed world.


References:
www.nhs.uk
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.youtube.com

Symptoms : Neonatal Respiratory Disease Syndrome(NRDS)

Along with tachypnea and tachycardia. There include:

  • Bluish color of the skin and mucus membranes (cyanosis)
  • Apnea
  • Decreased urine output
  • Grunting
  • Nasal flaring
  • Rapid breathing
  • Shallow breathing
  • Unusual breathing movement like drawing back of the chest muscles with breathing

Reference: www.nhs.uk

Causes : Neonatal Respiratory Disease Syndrome(NRDS)

It is caused by developmental deficiency of surfactant (slippery and protective substance) production and structural immaturity in the lungs. It can also result from a genetic problem with the production of surfactant associated proteins.

Diagnosis : Neonatal Respiratory Disease Syndrome(NRDS)

These tests may include:

  • Physical examination - To check for the distinctive signs and symptoms of NRDS
  • Blood tests -To measure the amount of oxygen in the blood and check for an infection
  • A pulse oximetry test - To measure how much oxygen is being absorbed in the blood, using a sensor attached to the fingertip, ear or toe.
  • A chest X-ray - To look for the distinctive cloudy appearance of NRDS
  • An echocardiogram - A type of ultrasound scan that is used to create a picture of the inside of the heart

Reference: www.nhs.uk

Management : Neonatal Respiratory Disease Syndrome(NRDS)

Babies that are born premature or are at high risk for the respiratory diseases, should be treated at birth by a medical team that specializes in newborn breathing problems.

Artificial surfactant to an infant might be helpful. Infants should be given warm, moist oxygen. However, this treatment needs to be monitored carefully to avoid side effects from too much oxygen. A breathing machine is sometime used on the babies. Breathing machines can damage the lung tissue so use should be avoided when possible. Babies may need to use a breathing machine if they have:
  • High levels of carbon dioxide in the arteries
  • Low blood oxygen in the arteries
  • Low blood pH (acidity)
  • Repeated pauses in breathing
A treatment called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may prevent the need for a breathing machine in many babies. CPAP uses a device that sends air into the nose to help keep the airways open. Reference: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Medical Condition : Neonatal Respiratory Disease Syndrome(NRDS) : Respiratory