Which respiratory complication occurs in the newborn, especially premature infants?

• A. URI
• B. TB
• C. Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
• D. SIDS

Answer: (C)

Premature birth often leads to surfactant deficiency in the lungs, causing Respiratory Distress Syndrome. In newborns, especially those born early, the lungs lack enough surfactant to keep the tiny air sacs open during exhalation. This makes alveoli collapse easily, impairs gas exchange, and leads to rapid breathing, grunting, nasal flaring, chest retractions, and low oxygen levels. The condition is a hallmark of immaturity of the lungs and is treated with supportive breathing support (like CPAP or ventilation) and surfactant replacement therapy to restore proper lung function. Preventive strategies include antenatal steroids to accelerate lung maturity when preterm birth is expected.

Other options don’t typically describe a newborn respiratory problem tied to prematurity: upper respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and SIDS occur at different times or contexts and aren’t the classic newborn complication caused by immature lungs and lack of surfactant.