Dictionary
respiratory distress syndrome
noun
Definition of RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME
: a respiratory disorder chiefly of newborn premature infants that is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs resulting in labored breathing, lung collapse, and hypoxemia
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First Known Use of RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME
1964
Medical Dictionary
respiratory distress syndrome
noun
Medical Definition of RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME
: a respiratory disorder that occurs in newborn premature infants and is characterized by deficiency of the surfactant coating the inner surface of the lungs, by failure of the lungs to expand and contract properly during breathing with resulting collapse, and by the accumulation of a protein-containing film lining the alveoli and their ducts—abbreviation RDS; called also hyaline membrane disease; see acute respiratory distress syndrome
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