respiratory distress syndrome

[res-per-uh-tawr-ee di-stres sin-drohm, -druhm]

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of respiratory distress syndrome¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

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

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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.

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But a six-day inquest heard that despite having respiratory distress syndrome and a collapsed lung, the premature baby was "rescuable" with the right treatment.

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

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

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