At what gestational age is there an increased risk for respiratory distress syndrome in newborns?

The correct response indicates that there is an increased risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborns who are born before 34 weeks of gestation. RDS is primarily caused by a deficiency of surfactant, a substance that helps keep the air sacs in the lungs from collapsing.

In the gestational timeline, the production of surfactant usually begins around 24 to 28 weeks but is often insufficient until about 34 weeks or later. Thus, newborns delivered before this gestational age are at a significantly higher risk for developing RDS due to the immaturity of their lungs and inadequate surfactant levels.

While infants born before 28 weeks are indeed at a very high risk for RDS, the choice indicating less than 34 weeks captures a broader group that encompasses a critical time frame when the risk is notably increased. Options indicating gestational ages at or above 34 weeks represent a lower risk, as sufficient lung development and surfactant production typically occur in most cases by the time the gestation period reaches or exceeds 34 weeks.