Respiratory disorder that involves widespread alveolar collapse

Most common cause of neonatal death

If mild, subsides slowly after about 3 days

Almost exclusively affects neonates born before the 27th gestational week; occurs in about 60% of those born before the 28th week

Most common in neonates of mothers with diabetes, neonates delivered by cesarean birth, and neonates delivered suddenly after antepartum hemorrhage

Certain complications are associated specifically with the preterm neonate (see Complications that may affect preterm neonates, page 122)

Also called RDS or hyaline membrane disease