The incidence of the respiratory distress syndrome: with particular reference to developing countries.

The incidence of RDS varies in various parts of the world and appears to be lower in negroes than caucasian and mongolians. The incidence in mongolians is as high if not higher than in caucasians. The difference between negroes and other races may be due to the ability of the negro fetus to produce surfactant earlier. Variation within the black ethnic groups may be due to genetic differences between them. Studies on the incidence of RDS will be more accurate if surfactant deficiency is documented and other conditions, particularly transient respiratory distress and early neonatal sepsis which both may mimic RDS are recognised.