Monarch Disease Ontology term MONDO_0700081 (newborn respiratory distress syndrome) is a condition beginning in the first day of life that results from inadequate surfactant production, causing increased work of breathing and impaired gas exchange. Also known as: HMD - hyaline membrane disease, RDS Of newborns, RDS, respiratory distress syndrome Of newborns, hyaline membrane disease, infant ARDS, infant acute respiratory distress syndrome, infant respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal respiratory distress.