Respiratory distress syndrome is a very serious and life threatening medical condition where the lungs are unable to provide enough oxygen for the rest of the body. Without treatment, respiratory distress syndrome is fatal.
Types of respiratory distress syndrome
There are two main types of respiratory distress syndrome:
- neonatal respiratory distress syndrome - also known as hyaline membrane disease, and
- acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is a condition that usually only affects premature babies. NRDS can occur if a baby is born before their lungs are fully developed and capable of working properly.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mainly affects adults and develops when the lungs become seriously damaged through severe infection or injury.
How common is respiratory distress syndrome?
NRDS is a common complication of premature birth and affects approximately 1% of all pregnancies. It is estimated that 50% of babies who are born before 32 weeks will develop NRDS.
ARDS is a rare condition. For example, in England, it is estimated that there are 78 new cases of ARDS for every 100,000 people every year.
The most common cause of ARDS is a serious infection, such as a lung infection (pneumonia), or blood poisoning (sepsis). ARDS can also develop if the lungs become injured through:
- drowning,
- smoke inhalation, or
- severe trauma, such as in a car crash.
Outlook
In recent years, the outlook for babies with NRDS has improved dramatically due to advances in treatment and a better understanding of the condition. As a result, deaths from NRDS are now rare. For example, in 2006 in England and Wales, there were 60 deaths from NRDS.
The outlook for ARDS is moderate to poor. An estimated 35-45% of people with ARDS will die due to complications arising from the condition.
Both NRDS and ARDS usually require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). A ventilator is used to support the function of the lungs while they recover, and in the case of premature babies, it allows the lungs to fully develop.
