High levels of oxygen in the air breathed in by the infant can, however, cause harmful chemical reactions in the lungs. Sicker newborns often require a mechanical ventilator . A ventilator helps move air into the lungs. A ventilator is vital for the newborn whose lungs are so stiff that his breathing muscles can't move them adequately. The lungs of many premature babies do not contain enough surfactant , so the airsacks can easily collapse.
Ventilators help keep the airsacks open, allowing oxygen to reach the blood vessels in the lungs.
Unfortunately, the pressures needed to get air into stiff lungs can also cause further damage. In many infants, RDS begins improving in a week or less. Other infants may need oxygen and treatment with a ventilator for longer periods. In this situation, BPD may result. Once BPD has occurred, other processes may cause further problems.