Several factors can cause breathing difficulties in newborns. The most common causes include:
Premature Birth: Premature infants often have underdeveloped lungs, lacking sufficient surfactant, a substance that helps keep the air sacs in the lungs open. Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS): Caused by the lack of surfactant, RDS is common in premature babies. Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN): This condition is usually seen in full-term or near-term babies. It occurs when fluid in the lungs doesn't clear out quickly enough. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS): This happens when a newborn inhales a mixture of meconium (the first stool) and amniotic fluid during delivery, causing airway obstruction and inflammation. Congenital Pneumonia: An infection in the lungs present at birth can lead to breathing difficulties. Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN): This condition occurs when a newborn's circulation system doesn't adapt to breathing outside the womb, leading to high blood pressure in the lungs.
