Question

A newborn exhibits signs of respiratory distress due to the lack of surfactant. She has signs of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide. Explain why the lack of surfactant would result in respiratory distress.

Furthermore, what type of acid-base disorder might she develop and how would her body compensate?

Answer 1

ANSWER :

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborn babies caused due to insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant (surface active lipoprotein) by type 2 alveolar cells which reduces the surface tension of the fluid within alveolar capillaries and prevent them from collapsing hence, lack of surfactant in the lungs decreases oxygen partial pressure (PO2) in the blood and difficulty in breathing.

Respiratory failure causes high concentration of CO2 and low oxygen in the blood which arise new disorder called respiratory acidosis in new borns. Hence, to compensate with this condition reabsorption of bicarbonate increased in the renal tubules which maintains acid-base (pH) regulation in the body.