Paediatrics: Surfactant Deficient Lung Disease: Free MSRA Podcast

🫁 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Surfactant-Deficient Lung Disease (RDS): Why Premature Lungs Struggle & What Works Best 👶In this focused episode, we break down surfactant-deficient lung disease (SDLD)—also called respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)—a leading cause of newborn breathing difficulties. Get crystal-clear on causes, red flags, and game-changing management for your MSRA prep and beyond.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• SDLD = insufficient or ineffective lung surfactant• RDS is the classic example, mostly in premature infants📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Main risk: Prematurity (especially <28–32 weeks)• Other risks: maternal diabetes, elective C-section before labour, perinatal asphyxia, male sex, genetic surfactant disorders, second twin📌 Pathophysiology• Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension (think: “dish soap” for the lungs)• Without it → alveoli collapse (atelectasis), ↓ compliance, V/Q mismatch, hypoxaemia📌 Differential Diagnosis• Meconium aspiration• Neonatal pneumonia• Pulmonary hypoplasia• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia📌 Epidemiology• RDS affects ~15–20% of preterm births• Genetic causes: rare but possible at any gestation📌 Clinical Presentation• Signs: tachypnoea (>60/min), expiratory grunting, nasal flaring, chest retractions, cyanosis• Severe forms: poor feeding, failure to thrive, recurrent infections📌 Diagnosis• Chest X-ray: ground-glass lungs, air bronchograms, low lung volumes• ABG: hypoxaemia, acidosis• Bloods to rule out infection; genetic testing if indicated📌 Management• Supportive care: thermoregulation, fluids, nutrition• Respiratory support: oxygen, CPAP, mechanical ventilation• Surfactant replacement therapy: direct instillation into trachea• Prevention: antenatal steroids if preterm labour expected📌 Complications• Acute: respiratory failure, infection• Long-term: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), pulmonary hypertension, neurodevelopmental delay, chronic respiratory insufficiency (especially in genetic SDLD)📎 More MSRA Resources for Surfactant-Deficient Lung Disease:📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/surfactant-deficient-lung-disease-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/surfactant-deficient-lung-disease-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/surfactant-deficient-lung-disease-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/surfactant-deficient-lung-disease-rapid-quiz/🎓 Paediatrics Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/paediatrics-for-the-msra/#MSRA #RespiratoryDistressSyndrome #Paediatrics #Neonatology #MSRARevision #Prematurity #Surfactant #PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA #MSRAQuiz #UKGuidelines