RDS is caused by?

Prepare for your Pediatric Settings Road Map Test. Enhance your knowledge with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Ensure success in your exam!

Multiple Choice

RDS is caused by?

Explanation:
Pulmonary immaturity leads to insufficient surfactant production. In preterm infants, the lungs are not fully developed, including the cells that produce surfactant. Surfactant lowers surface tension so alveoli stay open between breaths; without enough of it, the alveoli collapse (atelectasis), lung compliance drops, and gas exchange is impaired, causing the respiratory distress characteristic of RDS. So, the key idea is that immaturity of the lungs sets up the lack of surfactant, making pulmonary immaturity the best answer.

Pulmonary immaturity leads to insufficient surfactant production. In preterm infants, the lungs are not fully developed, including the cells that produce surfactant. Surfactant lowers surface tension so alveoli stay open between breaths; without enough of it, the alveoli collapse (atelectasis), lung compliance drops, and gas exchange is impaired, causing the respiratory distress characteristic of RDS. So, the key idea is that immaturity of the lungs sets up the lack of surfactant, making pulmonary immaturity the best answer.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy