Any recent research studies on preventing respiratory distress in newborns?

Yes, indirectly.: Since the discovery that antenatal steroids could reduce respiratory distress syndrome (rds) more than 20 years ago, there have been few studies of preventing rds, per se. However, the major cause of rds is preterm birth and there have been lots of recent studies of conditions like preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and pregnancy-induced hypertension, that are associated with preterm delivery.

Natural event: The last system to be "finished" in the construction of the fetus is the production of a liquid lining of the inside of the or air sacs within the lung.The surface active agent has now been replicated in the lab and can be given to babies who develop respiratory distress to tide them over until they make their own. To avoid RDS, you need to avoid early birth.