respiratory distress syndrome

noun

: 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 compare acute respiratory distress syndrome

Examples of respiratory distress syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Her primary focus was on hyaline membrane disease, sometimes called respiratory distress syndrome, in which alveoli — tiny air sacs in the lungs — do not properly inflate. Matt Schudel, Washington Post, 3 July 2024 Acute care nurses These nurses provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions like heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome or shock. Brianna Herlihy, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of respiratory distress syndrome was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near respiratory distress syndrome

Cite this Entry

“Respiratory distress syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respiratory%20distress%20syndrome. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

respiratory distress syndrome

noun
: 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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