What is a common sign that a neonate may be experiencing respiratory distress?

Grunting or retraction is a common sign that indicates a neonate may be experiencing respiratory distress. Grunting is a sound that occurs as the baby attempts to increase end-expiratory pressure in order to keep air in the lungs and improve oxygenation. It often occurs during expiration and can indicate that the infant is struggling to breathe or is hypoxic.

Retractions are another physical manifestation of respiratory distress, where the skin between the ribs or under the ribcage pulls in with each breath. This is a sign that the infant is using additional muscle effort to breathe due to inadequate lung function or obstruction.

Recognizing these signs is crucial for prompt intervention, as respiratory distress can rapidly progress to more severe respiratory failure if not addressed. In contrast, excessive crying, stable temperature, and gaining weight rapidly do not provide meaningful indicators of respiratory distress in neonates. Crying can occur for various reasons and may not be directly related to respiratory function. A stable temperature can indicate basic homeostasis, and rapid weight gain is generally a positive sign of growth and nutrition rather than a symptom of distress.