Neonatal Respiratory Distress

Respiratory distress in newborns describes situations in which a baby has difficulty breathing shortly after birth, which requires immediate medical attention.

Common symptoms: You may observe rapid or labored breathing, flaring of the nostrils, sinking of the chest when breathing, grunting when exhaling, or a bluish color of the skin.

When to see a doctor? Any sign of breathing difficulty in a newborn is cause for urgent care and immediate evaluation by health personnel.

Which specialist treats it? The neonatologist and the pediatrician are the professionals who care for these cases, often in a hospital setting. When there are signs that a baby is breathing with difficulty, an immediate professional evaluation is the priority.