Clinical study of putcome and predisposing factors for spontaneous pneumothorax in the neonates

Abstract

Objective : To recognize the underlying conditions associated with the spontaneous pneumothorax(SP) in the neonates, and it could make early diagnosis and proper management of the pneumothorax to avoid further deterioration or sudden death.

Methods : We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of infants who had treated for SP from April 1994 to January 2000 in neonatal intensive care unit of Ajou university hospital. Statistical analysis was done by using percentage scale.

Results : The 23 neonates were identified with the diagnosis of SP shortly after birth, which was more common in term infants, and they had associated underlying conditions except two neonates, such as perinatal asphyxia, resuscitation including endotracheal intubation, positive pressure ventilation, meconium or amniotic fluid aspiration syndrome, and the hyaline membrane disease. In addition, the clinical severity of pneumothorax was increased in prematurity and prolonged pneumothorax which had been recognized later. The incidence of neonatal SP identified in this study accounted for 23(0.2%) of 10,405 total live births in the same periods. Conclusion : Infants with these underlying risk factors should be carefully observed from birth, which enables to make the early detection of pulmonary air leak and decrease the secondary morbidity and mortality.