Question

Infant respiratory distress syndrome occurs because premature infants lack the ability to produce _____, which ______.

a) alveoli; causes them to become hypoxic
b) surfactant; lowers surface tension
c) cilia; clear mucus from the trachea
d) mucus; traps bacteria

Answer 1

Premature infants may develop infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) due to insufficient production of surfactant, which is required to lower the surface tension in the lungs and ease the inflation of alveoli.

Step-by-step explanation:

Infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) occurs because premature infants lack the ability to produce surfactant, which lowers surface tension in the lungs. Surfactant is essential for proper lung function because it acts like a detergent, reducing surface tension and allowing the air sacs, or alveoli, to inflate more easily. Without sufficient surfactant, the alveoli are difficult to inflate, can collapse, and need to reopen with each breath, which is very laborious and can lead to alveolar damage. Consequently, babies with IRDS face challenges with gas exchange, leading to low oxygen levels (hypoxia) and elevated carbon dioxide levels in their blood, which can result in acidosis.