Your Care Instructions
Your baby has been treated for infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS). This is a serious breathing problem. It can happen to premature babies who are born before their lungs are fully developed.
Normally a baby's lungs make a substance that helps the lungs fill with air. The lungs usually make this substance close to the time of birth. Your baby's lungs did not make enough of this substance. This made it very hard for your baby to breathe.
Babies who have IRDS need extra oxygen. And they may need to be on a ventilator. This machine helps your baby breathe. To use the machine, the doctor puts a soft tube through your baby's mouth into the windpipe. Your baby has been getting oxygen and medicine through the tube. This helped your baby's lungs get stronger.
The hospital staff will make sure that your baby is ready to go home. And they'll help you get the support you need. A member of the staff will answer your questions about what will happen before and after your baby leaves the hospital.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter J445 in the search box to learn more about "Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Care Instructions".