Final answer:
Babies are primarily obligatory nose breathers with smaller airways and less oxygen reserve, making nasal obstructions particularly hazardous. Premature infants are especially at risk of respiratory distress syndrome due to insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant necessary for lung inflation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Babies experience respiratory distress when their nasal passage is obstructed because they are obligatory nose breathers, particularly in the early months of life. As nasal breathing is their primary mode of respiration, any form of obstruction can lead to immediate distress. Infants have smaller airways, which makes them more susceptible to blockages, and their physiology means they have less oxygen reserve than older children and adults. These factors combined make nasal blockages a significant problem.
Nasal passages in babies also play a crucial role in filtering and warming the air before it reaches the lungs. When the nasal passage is obstructed, babies cannot easily switch to mouth breathing, which can lead to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) if not addressed quickly. RDS is more common in premature infants, who are prone to difficulties due to insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, necessary for lung inflation. Infants born prematurely may require supplemental oxygen to help them breathe more efficiently until their lungs are more fully developed and they can produce enough surfactant on their own.