Final Answer:
A preterm infant is at greatest risk for developing: b. respiratory distress syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preterm infants, born before the completion of a full-term gestation (typically before 37 weeks), often face challenges related to the maturity of their organ systems. One common complication in preterm infants is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
RDS occurs due to insufficient surfactant production in the immature lungs of preterm infants. Surfactant is a substance that helps keep the air sacs in the lungs open, allowing for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. In the absence of adequate surfactant, the lungs become stiff, making breathing difficult.
Hypoglycemia (option a) may also be a concern in preterm infants, but respiratory distress syndrome is a more immediate and common risk associated with prematurity.
Hydrocephalus (option c) and scoliosis (option d) are not typically associated with prematurity. Hydrocephalus involves an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and scoliosis is a condition characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine. These conditions are not directly linked to the immaturity of organ systems seen in preterm infants.
Therefore, the correct answer is b. respiratory distress syndrome.