Final answer:
A lack of O₂ and an increase in CO₂ in the blood is referred to as respiratory acidosis, often associated with Respiratory Distress Syndrome in neonates. It results from an excess of carbonic acid due to too much CO₂, leading to overly acidic blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
A lack of O₂ and an increase in CO₂ in the blood is known as respiratory acidosis; a condition in the neonate that may occur while in utero, at birth, or later. This condition occurs when there is an excess of carbonic acid, resulting from too much CO₂ in the blood, which causes the blood to be overly acidic. In neonates, this is often associated with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), a condition primarily seen in prematurely born infants who have insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, making it difficult for their lungs to inflate properly at birth.
Conversely, respiratory alkalosis is a condition wherein a deficiency in carbonic acid or CO₂ levels causes the blood to be overly alkaline. This can occur due to hyperventilation, which can be driven by various factors such as emotional distress, fever, or physiological responses like hypoxia or an overdose of certain drugs like aspirin.