Final answer:
Premature birth is a common risk factor for acute respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a condition with insufficient pulmonary surfactant leading to difficulty in breathing and poor gas exchange. Other risk factors include gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, and family history. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent further complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Premature birth is one of the most common risk factors for acute respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS is a respiratory system disorder characterized by insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, which is crucial for the lungs to inflate properly at birth. Without enough surfactant, infants experience difficulty breathing, known as dyspnea, and cannot efficiently exchange gases, leading to low blood oxygen levels and high blood carbon dioxide levels and pH.
The primary cause of RDS in newborns is premature birth, particularly in infants born between 26 and 31 weeks of gestation. In addition to premature birth, other risk factors for RDS include gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, being the second-born twin, and a family history of RDS. These factors lead to a deficient amount of surfactant, resulting in the disease.
Recognizing and treating RDS swiftly is essential because it can lead to more severe problems like septicemia or pulmonary hemorrhage, which can increase the risk of hospital admissions and even mortality.