Final answer:
To accelerate fetal lung maturation and manage the risk of infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS), corticosteroids are administered to the mother, and pulmonary surfactant therapy may be used. These treatments are crucial for preventing the collapse of alveoli and aiding in lung inflation for preterm infants. Additional supportive care is provided post-delivery.
Step-by-step explanation:
To accelerate lung maturation in fetuses, particularly in cases where there is a risk of preterm birth, medical interventions are employed to improve the chances of infant survival and reduce complications such as infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS). A critical factor in assessing lung maturity is the lecithin to sphingomyelin ratio. In mature fetal lungs, this ratio is approximately 2.5, where a ratio between 2.4 to 1.6 indicates a low risk, and a ratio of less than 1.5 signifies a high risk of IRDS.
The primary treatment for promoting fetal lung development involves the administration of corticosteroids to the pregnant mother. These steroids help accelerate the production of pulmonary surfactants, a mixture of lipids, primarily lecithin (specifically phosphatidylcholine) and sphingomyelin, which reduce the surface tension within the alveoli, preventing their collapse and aiding in lung inflation post-delivery.
During the respiratory development, major growth occurs from week 24 until term, with a significant milestone around week 28, where sufficient alveolar precursors mature enough to enable a baby born prematurely to breathe independently. Nonetheless, lung development continues into childhood, necessitating continued medical support for preterm infants.
At delivery, if an infant is born very prematurely and does not breathe on their own, treatment may include resuscitation and intubation, potentially placing the infant on a ventilator. Another key treatment is the application of pulmonary surfactant therapy, which has significantly reduced the mortality rate associated with RDS. Additional therapies may encompass supplemental oxygen, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and supportive care such as temperature regulation and nutritional support.