The treatment is prompt resuscitation of all high-risk and premature infants by a pediatric resuscitation team. High oxygen and humidity concentrations are given initially.
Infants with mild symptoms are given supplemental oxygen, while those with severe symptoms are managed on a ventilator to deliver both oxygen and pressure to keep the lungs inflated.
Oxygen and pressure will be decreased as soon as possible to prevent side effects associated with too much oxygen or pressure.
Artificial surfactant is sometimes instilled through an endotracheal tube into the lungs of an infant at high risk for respiratory distress syndrome immediately after birth (see lung surfactant).
Studies find that this treatment can prevent or improve the course of respiratory distress syndrome and enough research has now been done on surfactants to show that they reduce mortality from IRDS.
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