What is one of the signs of severe respiratory distress in an infant?

In the context of recognizing severe respiratory distress in an infant, increased work of breathing is a critical indicator. When an infant exhibits increased work of breathing, it typically means they are struggling to get enough air into their lungs. Signs of this can include using accessory muscles, nasal flaring, retractions of the chest wall, and grunting. These physical responses indicate that the infant is in need of more effort to breathe and may not be receiving adequate oxygen, suggesting a potential emergency situation.

Stable oxygen saturation would imply that the infant is adequately oxygenated, which does not align with signs of severe distress. Similarly, a consistent breath rate does not necessarily indicate distress, as it may be within normal parameters despite potential respiratory issues. Absence of cyanosis suggests that the infant is not severely hypoxic, which again is counter to the presence of severe respiratory distress. Thus, increased work of breathing is a clear and direct sign of respiratory distress that requires timely medical evaluation and intervention.