Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS): Symptoms

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a breathing disorder that affects newborns. RDS rarely occurs in full-term infants. The disorder is more common in premature infants born about 6 weeks or more before their due dates.

Part of: Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Symptoms of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) usually occur at birth or within the first few hours that follow. They include:

Rapid, shallow breathing Sharp pulling in of the chest below and between the ribs with each breath Grunting sounds Flaring of the nostrils

The infant also may have pauses in breathing that last for a few seconds. This condition is called apnea (AP-ne-ah).

Respiratory Distress Syndrome Complications

Depending on the severity of an infant’s RDS, he or she may develop other medical problems.

Lung Complications

Lung complications may include a collapsed lung (atelectasis), leakage of air from the lung into the chest cavity (pneumothorax), and bleeding in the lung (hemorrhage).

Some of the life-saving treatments used for RDS may cause bronchopulmonary dysplasia, another breathing disorder.

Blood and Blood Vessel Complications

Infants who have RDS may develop sepsis… Read more about Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS): Symptoms