Final answer:
Low birth weight infants are at greatest risk for developing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which results from insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant necessary for lung function. Premature infants, especially those born between 26 and 31 weeks, are most susceptible to RDS.
Step-by-step explanation:
Low Birth Weight Infants and Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Low birth weight infants are at greatest risk for developing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This condition primarily affects newborns who are born prematurely, usually before their lungs have fully developed the ability to produce sufficient pulmonary surfactant. This surfactant is crucial for keeping the air sacs in the lungs from collapsing, thereby facilitating proper lung inflation and gas exchange. A deficiency in surfactant leads to the lungs being unable to inflate, causing dyspnea (difficulty breathing).
Low birth weight is commonly caused by maternal undernutrition and can lead to a variety of health challenges, including susceptibility to diseases and mortality in infancy. However, RDS is one of the most serious immediate risks for these infants, necessitating rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent further complications such as septicemia or pulmonary hemorrhage.
The development of RDS is highly correlated with the level of prematurity of the infant, with a higher incidence in those born between 26 and 31 weeks of gestation. Without adequate pulmonary surfactant, these infants face difficulties such as difficulty inflating the lungs and maintaining sufficient oxygen levels in the blood.