**12. Conclusion**

RD of a neonate has almost identical clinical picture irrespective of many etiologic entities it originates from. The perinatal history, labour course, the gestational age and appropriateness of birth measures for the gestational age should all be taken into account in diagnosing the aetiology of the RD.

The modern management of neonatal RD is minimally invasive. In the delivery room, neonates are being stabilized. The respiratory support is primarily non-invasive ventilation as well as the surfactant is applied with less invasive methods not involving intubation and artificial ventilation. If intubation is required, the time of artificial ventilation should be as short as possible. Hyperoxia and hypocapnia should be avoided. Further studies will show whether such non-invasive treatment is also going to affect the incidence of BPD, neurodevelopmental outcome and other long-term consequences of intensive neonatal therapies.
