Question
A newborn has been diagnosed with hyaline membrane disease after showing respiratory distress upon birth. Parents are wondering, is neonatal hyaline membrane disease a severe condition?
Answer
Neonatal hyaline membrane disease, also known as neonatal transient tachypnea or type II respiratory distress syndrome, is a self-limiting condition. This symptom is common in full-term infants or those born via cesarean section, presenting as short-term respiratory distress after birth. It shares similarities with respiratory distress syndrome and meconium aspiration syndrome but typically resolves more quickly with a good prognosis. Therefore, neonatal hyaline membrane disease is generally not considered severe, and parents need not worry excessively unless there are other complications.