Question
A newborn has been diagnosed with pulmonary hyaline membrane disease just a few days after birth. How severe is this condition? What are the symptoms?
Answer
Neonatal pulmonary hyaline membrane disease is caused by a deficiency in pulmonary surfactant and is more common in premature infants. The main characteristic is progressive respiratory difficulty and respiratory failure soon after birth, leading to the progressive collapse of alveoli. Newborns may experience progressive respiratory difficulty, grunting, cyanosis, and inspiratory triad within 4-12 hours after birth. Severe cases may lead to respiratory failure. Surfactant replacement therapy is crucial in treating neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and mechanical ventilation is a form of respiratory support that can save a child’s life.