Diagnosing Respiratory Distress in the Newborn

Abstract

The word that perhaps best characterizes respiratory distress in the newborn is variability. Included in the wide range of underlying causes are congenital anomalies, infections, hyaline membrane disease, and aspiration syndromes. Differentiation often hinges on a combination of key historical points, the physical examination, the pattern of presenting symptoms, and the chest x-ray film.