Prevalence and Incidence of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Prevalence/Incidence of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Infant respiratory distress syndrome: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Although airways and alveoli of a neonate’s respiratory system are present by 27 weeks’ gestation, the intercostal muscles are weak and the alveolar capillary system is immature. The premature neonate with IRDS develops widespread alveolar collapse due to a lack of surfactant, a lipoprotein pres-ent in alveoli and respiratory bronchioles. Surfactant lowers surface tension and helps prevent alveolar collapse. This surfactant deficiency results in widespread atelectasis, which leads to inadequate alveolar ventilation with shunting of blood through collapsed areas of lung, causing hypoxemia and acidosis.

IRDS occurs almost exclusively in neonates born before 37 weeks’ gestation (in 60% of those born before the 28th week). The incidence is greatest in the 1,000 to 1,500 g birthweight group. Infants of diabetic mothers, those born by cesarean delivery, second-born twins, infants with perinatal asphyxia, and those delivered suddenly after antepartum hemorrhage are more commonly afflicted.

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Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

About prevalence and incidence statistics:

The term 'prevalence' of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.

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