Final answer:
Oxytocin is responsible for contractions during labor, and betamethasone and pulmonary surfactant therapy are crucial treatments for premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) to assist in lung development and breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a vital aspect of neonatal medicine. RDS is a breathing disorder mostly seen in premature infants due to insufficient development of surfactant-producing cells in their lungs. This deficiency prevents the lungs from expanding properly, leading to difficulty in breathing and the need for supplemental oxygen and other interventions.
Oxytocin is the hormone primarily responsible for contractions during labor, encouraging the expulsion of the baby and placenta from the uterus. Various factors stimulate the initiation of breathing at birth, including labor contractions causing a rise in carbon dioxide levels in the fetal blood. During labor, the cervix receives pressure from the child, signaling the release of oxytocin to initiate contractions, which are further influenced by other hormones like progesterone.
Medical advances have substantially improved the treatment of RDS, with corticosteroids such as betamethasone being administered before birth to stimulate lung development and reduce the rates of RDS. Post-delivery interventions may include intubation, nasal CPAP, and pulmonary surfactant therapy, which have helped reduce RDS mortality by 50 percent. Supportive treatments such as temperature regulation, nutritional support, and antibiotics are also critical for the care of premature infants.