The neonate is 16 hours old and is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for respiratory distress syndrome. The neonate has been consuming an increased amount of feedings, but not gaining weight. The NICU nurse noticed abdominal distention and vomiting.
The vital signs are 97.4 (A), HR 116, R 56. The nurse suspects that the infant has which complication?

Choice A rationale 
Atelectasis, or collapse of part or all of a lung, is a potential complication of respiratory distress  syndrome in neonates. However, it would not typically cause symptoms such as increased  feeding without weight gain, abdominal distention, and vomiting. 
Choice B rationale 
Congenital cardiac disease could potentially cause symptoms such as increased feeding  without weight gain, but it would not typically cause abdominal distention and vomiting.  Furthermore, congenital cardiac disease would likely have been detected prior to the onset of  respiratory distress syndrome. 
Choice C rationale 
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious intestinal condition that can occur in premature infants,  particularly those with respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms can include increased  feeding without weight gain, abdominal distention, and vomiting.

Choice D rationale
An allergy to infant formula could potentially cause symptoms such as increased feeding  without weight gain, abdominal distention, and vomiting. However, this would not typically be  associated with respiratory distress syndrome. .