Respiratory distress

Impaired pulmonary ventilation and/or oxygenation characterized by tachypnea (adults: >20 breaths/min), increased work of breathing (accessory muscle use, retractions, nasal flaring), and objective impairment of gas exchange (SpO₂ <92%), with the potential to progress to respiratory failure if untreated.

Causes

• Airway and lung diseases

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

  • Asthma

  • Pneumonia

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

  • Lung trauma

  • Toxic inhalation (fumes, smoke)

  • Water aspiration (drowning)

  • Foreign body aspiration

• Cardiovascular causes

  • Heart failure

  • Myocardial infarction

  • Pulmonary edema

  • Pulmonary embolism

• Systemic causes

  • Sepsis

  • Anaphylaxis

  • Acute pancreatitis

  • Severe metabolic acidosis

  • Burns with inhalation injury

  • Blood transfusion-related lung injury

  • Neuromuscular disorders causing ventilatory failure