Respiratory distress of a newborn is observed within 1 to 6 hours of birth and characterized by rapid grunting respiration, cyanosis, and retraction of the intercostal muscles on inspiration. It can be either of pulmonary or extrapulmonary causes. The most common cause is hyaline membrane disease which occurs in preterm infants. Other causes are: aspiration of fluid or meconium, pneumothorax, and pneumonia.