Final answer:
Respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants is due to insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, which is crucial for lung inflation and gas exchange. The correct answer to the question is c. surfactant. Treatment includes surfactant therapy and various supportive measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a condition often seen in preterm infants, resulting from an immature respiratory system. This lack of oxygenation is primarily because the lungs have not produced adequate levels of a substance called pulmonary surfactant. Surfactant is essential for lung function as it reduces the surface tension of the alveoli, making it easier for them to inflate during breathing. Without sufficient pulmonary surfactant, the alveoli may collapse, leading to difficulty in both inflating the lungs and in oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. Therefore, the correct answer is c. surfactant.
Medical interventions for babies with RDS may include the administration of exogenous surfactant therapy, ventilator support, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and other supportive therapies such as temperature regulation and nutritional support. These treatments have significantly reduced the mortality associated with RDS.