respiratory distress syndrome

American  

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

noun

Pathology.

1. Also called hyaline membrane disease.  an acute lung disease of the newborn, occurring primarily in premature babies and babies born to ill mothers, characterized by rapid breathing, flaring of the nostrils, inelastic lungs, edema of the extremities, and in some cases the formation of a hyaline membrane on the lungs caused by a lack of surfactant in the immature lung tissue. RDS

2. acute respiratory distress syndrome. RDS

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Etymology

Origin of respiratory distress syndrome

First recorded in 1965–70

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

In some severe cases of COVID-19, the lungs undergo extreme damage, resulting in a range of life-threatening conditions like pneumonia, inflammation, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2024

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

From Washington Times • Oct. 6, 2023

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

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2023

This type of scarring can occur in chronic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or as a result of severe lung damage in a condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS.

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2022