Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Treatment - Treatment
Treatment for RDS usually begins as soon as a newborn is born, sometimes in the delivery room. Treatments for RDS include surfactant replacement therapy, breathing support from a ventilator or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) machine, or other supportive treatments.
Most newborns who show signs of RDS are quickly moved to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There they receive around-the-clock treatment from healthcare professionals who specialize in treating premature newborns.
Surfactant replacement therapy
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Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Treatment
Surfactant helps keep the lungs open so that a newborn can breathe in air once he or she is born. Babies who have RDS get surfactant until their lungs are able to start making the substance on their own. Surfactant is usually given through a breathing tube. The tube allows the surfactant to go directly into the baby's lungs.
Once the surfactant is given, the breathing tube is connected to a ventilator, or the baby may get breathing support from NCPAP.
Surfactant often is given right after birth in the delivery room to try to prevent or treat RDS. It also may be given several times in the days that follow, until the baby is able to breathe better.
Some women are given medicines called corticosteroids during pregnancy. These medicines can speed up surfactant production and lung development in a fetus. Even if you had these medicines, your newborn may still need surfactant replacement therapy after birth.
Breathing support
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Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Treatment
Newborns who have RDS often need breathing support, or oxygen therapy, until their lungs start making enough surfactant. Until recently, a mechanical ventilator usually was used. The ventilator was connected to a breathing tube that ran through the newborn's mouth or nose into the windpipe.
Today, more and more newborns are receiving breathing support from NCPAP. NCPAP gently pushes air into the baby's lungs through prongs placed in the newborn's nostrils.
Other supportive treatments
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Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Treatment
Treatment in the NICU helps limit stress on babies and meet their basic needs of warmth, nutrition, and protection. Such treatment may include:
- Checking liquid intake to make sure that fluid does not build up in the baby’s lungs.
- Checking the amount of oxygen in the blood using sensors on fingers or toes.
- Giving fluids and nutrients through needles or tubes inserted into the newborns' veins. This helps prevent malnutrition and promotes growth. Nutrition is critical to the growth and development of the lungs. Later, babies may be given breast milk or newborn formula through feeding tubes that are passed through their noses or mouths and into their throats.
- Measuring blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and temperature through sensors taped to the baby’s body.
- Using a radiant warmer or incubator to keep newborns warm and reduce the risk of hypothermia.