Hyaline Membrane Disease Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

The following symptoms usually start immediately or within a few hours after birth:

Difficulty breathing, apnea
Rapid, shallow breathing
Delayed or weak cry
Grunting noise with every breath
Flaring of the nostrils
Frothing at the lips
Blue color around the lips and nailbeds
Swelling of the extremities
Decreased urine output

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about the mother's medical history and pregnancy. The baby will also be evaluated, as outlined here:

Before Birth

Amniotic fluid may be tested for indicators of fetal lung maturity such as:

Surfactant
Lecithin:sphingomyelin ratio
Phosphatidyl glycerol

After Birth

Laboratory studies—performed to rule out infection
Physical exam—includes checking the baby's breathing and looking for bluish color around the lips and nailbeds
Testing for blood gases—to check the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, in this case, the chest

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2023 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.