How Is Respiratory Distress Syndrome Diagnosed?

Doctors usually begin treating respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) as soon as the baby is born. At the same time, they do several tests to rule out any other conditions that could be causing the baby's breathing problems. The tests also can confirm that the doctors have diagnosed the condition correctly.

The tests include:

• Chest x ray. A chest x ray takes a picture of the heart and lungs. It shows signs of RDS. A chest x ray also can identify complications, such as a collapsed lung, that may require urgent treatment.
• Blood tests. Blood samples are checked to see whether the baby has enough oxygen in his or her blood. These tests also can rule out infection and sepsis as a cause of the breathing problems.
• Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. An echocardiogram is used to rule out congenital heart defects as the cause of the breathing problems.