acute respiratory distress syndrome

American  

[uh-kyoot res-per-uh-tawr-ee di-stres sin-drohm, -druhm] / əˈkyut ˈrɛs pər əˌtɔr i dɪˈstrɛs ˌsɪn droʊm, -drəm /

noun

Pathology.

1. a disorder, caused by an acute illness or injury that affects the lungs either directly or indirectly, resulting in stiffening of the lung tissue, pulmonary edema, and extreme shortness of breath. ARDS

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Etymology

Origin of acute respiratory distress syndrome

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

Among the children who died from flu last season, the most common complications experienced before death were shock or sepsis, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, seizures and damage to the brain.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

A few days later the teenager was admitted to intensive care after developing acute respiratory distress syndrome.

From Salon • Jan. 6, 2025

Without treatment, malaria can also lead to seizures, anemia, kidney damage, acute respiratory distress syndrome and even death.

From Washington Times • Oct. 6, 2023

People infected with H5N1 virus can develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, manifesting in short and labored breathing.

From Science Daily • Sep. 29, 2023

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, 13, from Brixton, died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on 30 March 2020.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2023