Hyaline membrane disease: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

The answer is C. Premature birth

Hyaline membrane disease or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a lung disorder in infants due to the lack of pulmonary surfactant in an immature lung. The most important risk factor is premature birth (the risk increases with decreasing gestational age). Other risk factors include maternal diabetes, cesarean delivery, etc. Clinical features include tachypnea, expiratory grunting, nasal flaring, retractions, cyanosis, and decreased breath sounds; it usually occurs immediately after birth. CXR may show bilateral opacities, atelectasis, and low lung volumes. Treatment includes antenatal corticosteroid therapy, intubation or positive airway pressure (e.g., NIPPV or nasal CPAP), and surfactant therapy.