Could you explain what is infant respiratory distress syndrome?

RDS: Is due to immaturity of the lungs at birth. The lungs produce a product called surfactant as they mature, prior to completion of the pregnancy term. When a baby is pre-term, then there may be a lack of adequate surfactant. This is called respiratory distress syndrome. Surfactant helps the lungs to inflate properly so they can exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. It usually improves in days.