Respiratory distress syndrome (hyaline membrane disease).

The respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) continues to be the most common cause of death in premature infants. However, over the last 20 years there has been a series of stepwise advances resulting from laboratory studies and clinical observations which have resulted not only in a better understanding of this disease but in successful therapeutic applications as well. The purpose of this review will be to discuss RDS with respect to its (1) pathophysiology, (2) diagnosis, clinical as well as radiological, (3) management including its influence on the chest film, and (4) complications of treatment, with emphasis on radiological interpretation. The complications will include interstitial emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum, air embolus, persistent patent ductus arteriosus, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia as well as the problems associated with extubation.