Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Preterm Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tertiary Care Units

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), also known as hyaline membrane disease, is an acute lung disorder of newborns caused by pulmonary surfactant deficiency and immature lung development. It predominantly affects premature infants, with clinical signs of respiratory distress typically appearing within minutes to hours after birth. RDS remains a critical problem in neonatology, despite advances in perinatal care.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, at Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital during period from 4 June 2023 to 6 June 2024. 56 preterm infants were included in the study. The study aimed to assess the clinical profile and outcomes of preterm infants diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) during this time. A total of

Results: More than half of the mothers (57.1%) were between 20 and 34 years of age, which is considered the optimal reproductive age group. Most pre-term infants (75.0%) received surfactant therapy, which is a key treatment for RDS. CPAP was the most used mode of respiratory support, applied in 50% of cases. The overall survival rate among preterm infants with RDS was 71.4%, while the mortality rate was 28.6%. The average NICU stay was approximately 12.3 days.

Conclusion: critical role of early gestational age, low birth weight, antenatal steroid administration, and neonatal complications in determining outcomes in preterm infants with RDS. Efforts to improve antenatal care, especially the use of corticosteroids, and to strengthen infection control practices in NICUs may significantly enhance survival outcomes.