respiratory distress syndrome

Definition of respiratory distress syndrome

: a respiratory disorder chiefly of newborn premature infants that is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs resulting in labored breathing, lung collapse, and hypoxemia — compare acute respiratory distress syndrome

Examples of respiratory distress syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The 'baby' looked like a newborn look-a-like doll The couple claimed Easton Walt Lang was born July 3 and died hours later of respiratory distress syndrome, according to a criminal complaint. — Amir Vera And Hollie Silverman, CNN, "A Pennsylvania couple is charged with theft after police allege they faked the birth and death of a child," 16 Aug. 2019

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Dictionary Entries near respiratory distress syndrome

respirator

respiratorium

respiratory arrest

respiratory distress syndrome

respiratory leaf

respiratory nerve

respiratory pigment

Statistics for respiratory distress syndrome

Cite this Entry

“Respiratory distress syndrome.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respiratory%20distress%20syndrome. Accessed 14 December 2019.

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More Definitions for respiratory distress syndrome

respiratory distress syndrome

noun

Medical Definition of respiratory distress syndrome

: a respiratory disorder that occurs in newborn premature infants and is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs, by failure of the lungs to expand and contract properly during breathing with resulting collapse, and by the accumulation of a protein-containing film lining the alveoli and their ducts —abbreviation RDS

— called also hyaline membrane disease

— see acute respiratory distress syndrome