Which arterial blood gas reading in a term newborn is most consistent with respiratory distress syndrome due to prematurity?

The chosen answer is indicative of significant respiratory distress, which aligns with the presentation of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) commonly seen in premature infants. In this scenario, the arterial blood gas values show lower pH, elevated pCO2, and low pO2, which suggest that the newborn is experiencing respiratory acidosis combined with hypoxemia.

A pH of 7.22 indicates a state of acidosis, which is concerning and suggests an underlying respiratory issue. The elevated pCO2 level of 70 mmHg reflects a failure of the newborn to adequately excrete carbon dioxide, a key sign associated with respiratory distress. Additionally, the low pO2 level of 52 mmHg indicates significant hypoxemia, meaning that the oxygen levels in the blood are critically low—this is consistent with the inadequate oxygenation typically seen in infants with RDS.

In cases of respiratory distress syndrome, especially due to prematurity, these blood gas results would be expected as immature lungs lead to insufficient surfactant production, causing collapse of the alveoli and impaired gas exchange, resulting in acidosis and hypoxia. Therefore, the combination of these specific values provides a clear picture of a term newborn facing challenges consistent with respiratory distress syndrome.