Respiratory distress syndrome is due to the deficiency of

Correct Answer: B. Dipalmitoyl Phosphatidylcholine

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), particularly in neonates, is fundamentally a disease of surfactant deficiency. Surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids (90%) and proteins (10%), with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) comprising approximately 50% of the total lipid content and being the primary surface-active component. DPPC is the most potent surfactant lipid because its two saturated palmitic acid chains allow tight molecular packing at the air-liquid interface of alveoli, dramatically reducing surface tension. Without adequate DPPC and other surfactant components, alveolar surface tension remains high, causing alveolar collapse (atelectasis) at end-expiration, increased work of breathing, ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and progressive hypoxemia. In Indian neonatal units, RDS remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality, particularly in preterm infants born before 34 weeks gestation when surfactant synthesis peaks. The condition is managed with exogenous surfactant replacement (natural or synthetic preparations containing DPPC) and supportive respiratory care. Maternal corticosteroids (betamethasone/dexamethasone) given antenatally accelerate fetal lung maturity and surfactant production, a cornerstone of Indian obstetric practice for threatened preterm delivery.

Why the other options are wrong

A. Phosphatidylinositol — Phosphatidylinositol is a minor membrane phospholipid involved in cell signaling and inositol phosphate metabolism, not in reducing surface tension. While present in lung tissue, it has no role in surfactant function. This is a distractor that tests whether students confuse surfactant composition with general cell membrane lipids. C. Phosphatidylethanolamine — Phosphatidylethanolamine is a structural phospholipid found in cell membranes and comprises ~5–10% of surfactant, but it is NOT the primary surface-active component. It lacks the saturated fatty acid structure needed for effective surface tension reduction. NBE pairs this with surfactant to trap students who memorize 'phospholipids in surfactant' without understanding which one is functionally critical. D. Phosphatidylserine — Phosphatidylserine is a minor phospholipid involved in apoptosis signaling and cell membrane asymmetry, not surfactant function. It comprises <5% of surfactant and has no role in reducing alveolar surface tension. This option exploits confusion between 'phospholipids' as a general category and the specific lipid responsible for RDS pathophysiology.

High-Yield Facts

Mnemonics

DPPC = Double Palmitic Powerhouse DPPC has two saturated palmitic chains → tight packing → maximum surface tension reduction. Remember: 'D' for 'Dual saturated' and 'P' for 'Palmitic' (the saturated fatty acid). Use this when recalling why DPPC is superior to other surfactant lipids. RDS = Respiratory Distress = Surfactant Deficiency Preterm infant + respiratory distress + low compliance + atelectasis = think surfactant deficiency first. In Indian neonatal units, RDS is synonymous with DPPC deficiency in preterm neonates. This is your clinical anchor.

NBE Trap

NBE exploits the fact that students may know 'surfactant contains phospholipids' but confuse which phospholipid is functionally critical. By listing four different phospholipids, the question tests whether students understand that DPPC's saturated fatty acid structure (not just 'being a phospholipid') is what makes it the surface-active component.

Clinical Pearl

In Indian NICUs, a preterm infant born at 28 weeks presenting with grunting, nasal flaring, and intercostal retractions within minutes of birth is classic RDS. Antenatal steroids given to the mother 48 hours before delivery can reduce this risk dramatically—a critical intervention in Indian obstetric practice where access to advanced respiratory support may be limited in peripheral centers.

_Reference: Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, Ch. 37 (Pulmonary Ventilation); Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Ch. 297 (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome); OP Ghai Essentials of Pediatrics, Ch. 10 (Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome)_