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
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up respiratory distress syndrome? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).