RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME: ANTENATAL STEROID TREATMENT

Course overview

Premature neonates commonly lack surfactant, the essential fatty coating in mature (i.e., capable of functioning at birth) lungs that provides enough elasticity for the respiratory cycle of alveolar expansion and deflation balanced by adequate residual capacity. Immature and underdeveloped lungs may collapse (i.e., atelectasis) after premature birth as a result of deficient levels of surfactant because inadequate levels of residual air allow underdeveloped alveoli walls to stick together on expiration. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of how antenatal steroid treatment reduces the risk for RDS, including the etiology of RDS and how maternal antenatal corticosteroids affect fetal lung development, and to aid in caring for the patient with this diagnosis. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.