aetiology of respiratory distress in the newborn
Last reviewed 08/2023
There are very many potential aetiologies of respiratory distress syndrome. In this system they have been divided into aetiologies associated with the:
- lungs
- heart
- thoracic cage
- airway
- CNS and muscle
- metabolism
In order of frequency of presentation, the following are the most common causes of respiratory distress:
- surfactant deficiency
- transient tachypnoea
- meconium aspiration
- pneumothorax
- congenital pneumonia
- congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- upper airway obstruction
- developmental abnormalities