Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Neonate: A case report

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) describes an acute diffuse inflammatory lung injury caused by permeability pulmonary edema which occurs as a result of alveoli capillary endothelial damage that develops in response to an initiating injury or illness. This condition occurs unnoticed among seriously ill patients in the hospital wards. Despite advance research in inflammatory mechanism , ventilatory support and haemodynamic control, the mortality rate of ARDS  remains high,50 -75%.In this report, we present a term,3kg live female baby who became breathless immediately after birth. There was generalized refractory cyanosis (despite adequate ventilation), tachycardia (≥140b/minute) and bibasal coarse crepitations and rhonchi. Apgar score was 4¹3¹⁰ .She was delivered by a 29year old Primi gravida via emergency caesarian section (CS) indicated by passage of fresh meconium stained liquor. Findings during Surgery were cord round neck and meconium filled uterine cavity.  Mother was not diabetic nor hypertensive. She neither had any major medical therapy nor trauma prior to delivery.