Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a breathing disorder caused by immature lungs that affects preterm babies, particularly those born more than 6 weeks before their due date. RDS is a one of the most significant causes of sickness and death for preterm babies.

The European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome have just been updated by a European panel of experienced neonatologists and a perinatal obstetrician, and have been endorsed by the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR). The guidelines are underpinned by evidence from 39 Cochrane Reviews: 32 from Cochrane Neonatal and 7 from Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth.

These Cochrane Reviews inform a broad set of interventions related to the prevention and treatment of RDS, ranging from antenatal care to how we use breathing machines or drugs, such as surfactant.

Cochrane Neonatal prepares systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for preventing and treating neonatal diseases or problems, particularly for infants born preterm or with low birth weight.

Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth prepares and maintains Cochrane systematic reviews of interventions that relate to pregnancy and childbirth, and up to 30 days following childbirth, as well as lactation.