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Neonatal Respiratory Distress

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Neonatal Respiratory Distress

Neonatal respiratory distress occurs when a newborn’s lungs do not produce enough surfactant, causing the air sacs to collapse and limiting oxyge...
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Neonatal Respiratory Distress: Symptom, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Neonatal respiratory distress occurs when a newborn’s lungs do not produce enough surfactant, causing the air sacs to collapse and limiting oxygen exchange. The condition commonly affects premature infants and requires immediate medical care to stabilise breathing and protect the brain and other vital organs. Manipal Hospitals provides advanced, specialised care through its neonatal intensive care unit in Kolkata for newborns with severe respiratory conditions, including respiratory distress syndrome.

Symptoms of Neonatal Respiratory Distress

Symptoms of neonatal respiratory distress appear soon after birth and may include rapid, shallow breathing, flaring nostrils, and a bluish tint to the skin. Newborns may grunt or show chest retractions between the ribs or under the breastbone, indicating significant effort to breathe.

How We Diagnose Neonatal Respiratory Distress

Doctors begin diagnosis with a rapid physical assessment to identify breathing difficulty and low oxygen levels. Chest X-rays help evaluate lung expansion and detect classic signs of respiratory distress syndrome. Blood tests measure oxygen, carbon dioxide levels, and acidity to guide treatment decisions. This thorough evaluation supports effective neonatal respiratory distress care in Kolkata and ensures timely, targeted intervention.

Treatment Options

Treatment at Manipal Hospitals, Kolkata, primarily focuses on stabilising breathing and providing surfactant replacement therapy to help reopen collapsed lung sacs. Doctors may deliver oxygen through nasal continuous positive airway pressure or use a ventilator when a newborn requires stronger respiratory support.

What to Expect

Manipal Hospitals provides immediate care to newborns experiencing respiratory distress through its specialised neonatal intensive care unit in Kolkata. The team admits the baby promptly for continuous monitoring and respiratory support. Specialists administer surfactant therapy directly into the lungs to improve expansion and oxygen exchange. Depending on severity, newborns receive supplemental oxygen through gentle nasal support or mechanical ventilation. The medical team closely monitors vital signs and adjusts oxygen levels to maintain healthy blood gas values. As lung function improves, the baby requires less respiratory support and begins feeding more effectively. Throughout the stay, trained neonatal nurses ensure warmth, comfort, and proper positioning for easier breathing.

Manipal Hospitals delivers comprehensive neonatal respiratory distress care in Kolkata, focusing on preventing complications such as chronic lung disease and vision problems. The care team keeps parents informed and prepares them for discharge. Regular follow-up visits monitor the child’s growth, lung development, and overall progress during early childhood.

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