What kind of treatment will be needed for rapid breathing, and are there any potential negative side effects from the treatment?

In most cases either additional oxygen support and/or breathing support with a machine will be needed. An artificial form of the chemical to prevent lung collapse, surfactant, will be given to babies meeting levels of support to warrant its use. If artificial surfactant replacement is needed, then a breathing tube will be placed into the baby’s airway (trachea), and the chemical will be given directly into the lungs. The breathing tube may then be removed or kept in place and a form of breathing support will be started. This breathing support can either be through prongs that go in the baby’s nose or by a breathing machine (ventilator) attached to the breathing tube.

As with any abnormality in the lungs and need for breathing assistance, a hole can develop in the lung(s) that allows air to escape from the lung into the chest cavity (pneumothorax). As this air accumulates, it may compress the lungs and cause further worsening of the breathing condition. Many of these leaks require a drainage tube (chest tube) placed into the chest to remove this trapped air. Occasionally, these leaks can also occur within the lungs (pulmonary interstitial emphysema), under the skin, or around the heart. These may require different drainage tubes or special ventilators to treat.