Pneumothorax in newborns is an abnormal condition in which air gets collected in the space between the lung and pleural membrane that surrounds it when the lung ruptures or leaks air pneumothorax usually develops in infants who have prolonged respiratory distress due to disorders of the lung or because of meconium aspiration syndrome. Recorded cases of pneumothorax in the neonatal period are so few that the occurrence of such a case is of interest to all physicians. I, therefore, wish to present seven cases of pneumothorax in the newborn, in addition to the cases reported by other authors, with a. Risk factors and outcome of neonatal pneumothorax in tuzla canton. Events before the diagnosis of a pneumothorax in ventilated neonates. It may be caused by overenthusiastic attempts at resuscitation with pressure breathing apparatus, but. A pneumothorax may occur if a baby has respiratory distress. Tension pneumoperitoneum and pneumothorax in the newborn. Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are uncommon events in healthy children.
After pleural rupture for any reason, the formation of pneumatosis in the thoracic cavity after the air enters the pleura is called pneumothorax, which is a common and critical neonatal illness in clinics and a common cause of death among newborns and preterm. Spontaneous pneumothorax an overview sciencedirect topics. This potential space is normally absent of air and fluid. Lung ultrasonography to diagnose pneumothorax of the newborn. The causes of pneumothorax in infants can be multiple and owing to the young age and weaker immune system. Spontaneous pneumothorax in a term newborn has a reported incidence of 1% to 2%, although many are asymptomatic. The pleural cavity consists of the parietal pleura and the visceral layer, and it is a gas free potential enclosed lacuna. Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space inside the chest around the lungs, which leads to a lung collapse.
In the past, diagnosis of pneumothorax mainly depended on a chest xray examination. A pneumothorax occurs when some of the tiny air sacs alveoli in a babys lung become overinflated and burst. Hormann, in comprehensive pediatric hospital medicine, 2007. Free ce consequences of pneumothorax may include tachypnea, hypoxemia, tachy cardia, and, if left untreated, cardio vascular collapse and death. When an open pneumothorax develops in an infant, it is usually the re.
According to the severity of the pneumothorax, the treatment may range from. These steps are explained and demonstrated in this months video corner and are summarized for quick reference in the list below figure 1. A pneumothorax is a collection of air in the potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura. Pneumothorax in the newborn childrens health issues merck. There is a paucity of high quality evidence for management of pneumothorax in newborns. Spontaneous pneumothorax can occur in the newborn infant and if not recognized may have fatal consequences. Sometimes chest x ray shows large cardia silhouette, because of.
The neonate whose pneumothorax represents our third miss was a 1. To learn to perform a procedure, there are both cognitive and procedural steps that should be followed. What is pneumothorax in infants, know its causes, symptoms. The third type of pneumothorax is the open pneu mothorax.
An early, accurate and rapid diagnosis is key to successful emergency treatment and saving childrens lives. In a neonate, the anterior and not apical chest is antidependent and that is where the collection of gas in the hemithorax is. Paramanandam, saravana bhavan, a prema, m poornima division of neonatology, department of pediatrics, srm medical college hospital and research centre, kattankulathur, chennai abstract spontaneous pneumothorax is a recognised cause of. A pneumothorax occurs when the alveoli the air sacs in a babys lung over distend the lungs expand too much and burst. This study was similar to the results conducted by other studies aly, h. Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in the newborn radiology. Pneumothorax in the newborn merck manuals consumer version. Pneumothorax is a serious condition affecting infants, particularly those who are preterm and are suffering from respiratory distress syndrome.
Refractory respiratory failure and pneumothorax in. Causes of pneumothorax in newborns answers on healthtap. Davis and stevens 1 1930 reported finding 6 instances of spontaneous pneumothorax in newborn infants among 702 consecutive roentgenographic examinations. This causes air to leak into the space between the lung and chest wall pleural space. Spontaneous pneumothorax in a term neonate a case report. Management of spontaneous pneumothorax in a newborn. Pneumothorax in the newborn childrens health issues. Large right supine pneumothorax with a drain in situ the lateral radiograph demonstrates why the drain isnt working. Transthoracic needle aspiration or biopsy is the leading cause of iatrogenic pneumothorax. Pneumothorax may also be seen in infants with meconium aspiration. The condition is more common among baby boys compared to baby girls. Male teenagers are 2 to 4 times more likely to be affected than female teenagers, particularly tall, slender male adolescents, with a mean age of occurrence of 15 years. The large, firm abdominal mass was no longer palpable.
Needle aspiration of the pneumothorax american academy. Newborn pneumothorax anesthesiology asa publications. You can manage this and all other alerts in my account. The remaining 23 were preterm infants with hyaline membrane. Pneumothorax in infants is generally observed in preterm babies. The association of pneumoperitoneum with pneumothorax is considered relatively rare. Pneumothorax is a condition where there is free air between the parietal and visceral pleural leaves within the thoracic cavity. Indications evacuation of a pneumothorax diagnosed. This procedure is done to show free air in the area surrounding the lungs pleural cavity. Pneumothorax and other forms of pulmonary air leak in newborns.
At delivery, the infant is initially vigorous with an. In premature newborns, doctors sometimes shine a fiberoptic light through the affected side of the newborns chest while in a darkened room transillumination. We aimed to compare clinical presentation and risk factors associated with the development of. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is typically attributed to apical blebs or bullae that rupture, leading to an air leak. Know the causes, symptoms, treatment of pneumothorax in infants. Prevention the providers in the newborn intensive care unit nicu should watch your infant carefully for signs of an air leak. Infants hooked on to a ventilator, and those who are.
The occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax in a healthy newborn is a rare entity. She was born with a cesarean section of 2780grams in 38th gestational week. Quick notes recent history of thoracic aspiration, tracheal intubation, anesthesia, or other procedures related to the thoracic cavity. It should be suspected in any infant in respiratory distress. The clinical course of pneumothorax and its allied conditions was studied in 34 newborn infants who presented over a 2 12year period. In a retrospective cohort study of 6 ventilated infants with pneumothorax, 35 26% were managed without need for an intercostal catheter. Spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax in a newborn infant. Pneumothorax is a potential hazard for all neonates, especially premature infants, and especially those requiring mechanical ventilation 4. Traumarelated pneumothorax can be iatrogenic or accidental, and spontaneous pneumothorax can be primary without clinically or radiographically apparent lung or chest wall disease or secondary a complication of chronic or acute lung disease. The birth occurs via precipitous vaginal delivery and is uneventful except for terminal meconium. Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum american academy of. Pneumothorax is a common and critical neonatal illness in clinics and a common cause of death among newborns and preterm children. Spontaneous pneumothorax in a term neonate a case report p karthikeyan, m sathyamoorthy, p.
Ruge, 1 in 1878, was the first to report a case of pneumothorax in the newborn. Familial spontaneous pneumothorax in neonates medind. The reported incidence of pneumothorax in newborns and infants depends upon the setting and method. This type of pneumothorax is not common in infants. Call your provider if your infant has symptoms of pneumothorax. Familial spontaneous pneumothorax in neonates article pdf available in the indian journal of pediatrics 725. You will receive an email whenever this article is corrected, updated, or cited in the literature.
Pneumothorax beyond the newborn period american academy. Pneumothorax in newborns is observed worldwide and all racial and ethnic groups may be affected what are the risk factors for pneumothorax in infants. An open pneumothorax occurs when air en ters an opening or wound in the chest wall. Familial spontaneous pneumothorax was first described by farber in 1921. This causes the air to leak into the space between the outer tissues of the lung and chest wall pleural space. Over a twoyear period five cases of this syndrome were seen in a general hospital setting. The rate of pneumothorax is relatively high in the newborn period. Discover medical cases from every specialty their views and advice download now. Increased subcutaneous fat, characteristic of an infant of a diabetic mother, 2 was noted on chest radiographs, but a glucose tolerance test had not been performed during gestation. Rpa newborn care september 2012, for revision september 2015 primary author mr.
240 1375 408 694 1587 847 316 1052 1025 334 865 114 1647 1039 477 569 263 839 1522 874 913 1100 967 152 1041 724 561 809