PURPOSE: To identify the frequency of the nursing diagnoses, ineffective breathing pattern, impaired gas exchange and impaired spontaneous ventilation in newborns; and, to analyze the accuracy of diagnostic indicators identified for each of these diagnoses. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with a nonprobability sample of 92 infants. Data collected were represented by demographic and clinical variables, clinical indicators of the three respiratory nursing diagnoses from NANDA International, and were analyzed according to frequency and agreement between pairs of expert nurses (Kappa). FINDINGS: Ineffective breathing pattern was identified in 74.5% of infants; impaired gas exchange was noted in 31.5%; impaired spontaneous ventilation was found in 16.8% of subjects. Use of accessory muscles to breathe showed the highest sensitivity for ineffective breathing pattern; abnormal blood gases had the best predictive value for impaired gas exchange. Use of accessory muscles to breathe had the highest sensitivity for impaired spontaneous ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Ineffective breathing pattern was the most frequently identified; use of accessory muscles, alteration in depth of breathing, abnormal breathing, and dyspnea were the most representative signs/symptoms. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Early recognition of respiratory conditions can support safe interventions to ensure appropriate outcomes.