A male neonate born via Caesarean section at 38 weeks’ gestation to a 35-year-old mother, G2P2, is in respiratory distress. The pregnancy was unremarkable. The child is placed under warming lights with tactile stimulation. Chest x-ray shows fluid within fissure lines. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this child’s presentation?
Decreased elastic recoil
Decreased lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio
Decreased number of lamellar bodies
Reduced clearance of fetal lung fluid
Syndrome of meconium aspiration
