The main cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants is a developmental deficiency of pulmonary surfactant. The frequency of RDS is inversely
proportional to gestational age. However, not all infants born prematurely develop RDS, suggesting that there may be susceptibility factors. Because multiple factors can contribute to the pathogenesis of RDS specifically in premature infants, the etiology is considered to be multifactorial (summaries by Ramet et al., 2000; Clark and Clark, 2005).
Pathogenic germline mutations in several genes involved in surfactant metabolism, including SFTPB (178640) and SFTPC (178620), can cause clinical features of respiratory distress syndrome in term neonates, children, and adults, disorders referred to as 'surfactant metabolism dysfunction' (see, e.g., SMDP1, 265120). Susceptibility to the development of RDS in premature infants may be associated with polymorphisms in surfactant genes, such as surfactant protein
A1 (SFTPA1; 178630), SFTPB, and SFTPC (see MOLECULAR GENETICS). [from
OMIM]