Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Respiratory distress syndrome (or RDS) is a breathing disorder in new-born babies, which most commonly affects premature babies. The lungs of premature babies aren’t fully developed and unable to produce enough surfactant, which is a liquid that is present inside the lungs and helps to keep the lungs open. 

RDS causes the lungs and other organs to collapse when there isn’t enough oxygen to support the baby's organs. This may lead to brain damage if it becomes more severe. The less the lungs are developed, the higher are your baby’s chance of developing RDS.

Factors that contribute to RDS include:

• A sibling with the same disease

• Diabetic mother

• Caesarean delivery

• Multiple pregnancy (that is twins, triplets etc.)

Signs of RDS appear at or very soon after birth. Once prematurely born infants reach their full term age and still have breathing problems, they diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (or BPD), which is another respiratory disease in new-borns.

When to seek expert advise

If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms at birth, he or she will be under the care of our expert neonatologists and nurses working with the Children’s Hospital Services at The Aga Khan University Hospital. You can be assured of receiving multidisciplinary care under one roof at the only internationally accredited hospital in Pakistan. 

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