Which symptom is NOT typically associated with RDS?

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common condition in premature infants, especially those born before 28 weeks of gestation. The hallmark symptoms associated with RDS typically include:

• Cyanosis: This refers to a bluish discoloration of the skin due to insufficient oxygen. In infants with RDS, inadequate oxygen exchange in the alveoli leads to cyanosis as the body struggles to maintain adequate oxygen saturation levels.

• Grunting: This is a sound made by infants in an attempt to increase end-expiratory lung volume during breathing. It's a compensatory mechanism to improve oxygenation and is often heard in cases of respiratory distress.

• Tachypnea: This indicates an increased respiratory rate and is a direct response to low oxygen levels and the effort the infant's body exerts to overcome the low volume of air available for gas exchange.

In this context, severe abdominal pain is not a symptom associated with RDS. Abdominal pain could be linked to other conditions, but it is not part of the respiratory distress picture seen with RDS. Therefore, recognizing the common respiratory symptoms, including cyanosis, grunting, and tachypnea, helps to distinguish RDS from other medical issues in