A condition of newborn babies in which the lungs do not function properly.
Respiratory distress syndrome is a pulmonary disorder that occurs primarily in infants born prematurely. The disorder is a result of incomplete lung development. Respiratory distress syndrome is due to insufficiency of a foamy fluid known as surfactant, a substance essential to expansion of the alveoli, or air sacs of the lungs. Because of their immaturity, premature infants tend to lack surfactant, and their lungs are unable to inflate.