Non- surgical pneumoperitoneun in the newborn infant (original) (raw)

Severe pneumoperitoneum in a newborn without any established cause in a tertiary health institution in a low resource setting: A case report

World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2020

Pneumoperitoneum is the presence of air within the peritoneal cavity. Pneumoperitoneum is said to occur more in neonates than in infants and most cases are idiopathic. However it may be caused by necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), gastrointestinal tract perforation, iatrogenic causes such as mechanical ventilation and intrathoracic pathology (pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum). Plain abdominal radiograph has a good diagnostic value in evaluating patients with suspected pneumoperitoneum. Pneumoperitoneum can also be diagnosed using computed tomography (CT). A case of neonatal pneumoperitoneum without any established cause is reported due to its rarity. The approach to its management and radiological signs of pneumoperitoneum are also presented.

Characteristics of Pneumothorax in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The development of postnatal pneumothorax and its common causes and clinical aspects were studied to promote early diagnosis and proper management. Methods: A retrospective study of neonates who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from 2001 to 2010 was performed. Term neonates were divided into a spontaneous pneumothorax group and a secondary pneumothorax group. The secondary group was divided into term and preterm groups. Results: Of 4,414 inpatients, 57 (1.3%) were diagnosed with pneumothorax. Of term newborn patients, 28 (80%) had a secondary pneumothorax, and seven (20%) had a spontaneous pneumothorax. No differences were observed for gender, birth weight, re suscitation, or duration of admission between the spontaneous and control groups. The duration of treatment with a thoracostomy (20 patients, 57%) was longer in the spontaneous group (5.4±2.9 days vs. 2.7±2.0 days) than that in the control group. Patients with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) developed a pneumothorax 22.8 hours after surfactant treatment, whereas patients with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), pneumonia, and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) developed pneumothorax after 16.6 hours. Of 50 patients with a secondary pneumothorax, 19 (38%) had RDS, 11 (22%) had MAS, 7 (14%) had TTN, and six (12%) had pneumonia. Among term newborns, 42.9% were treated only with 100% oxygen. Among preterm newborns, 72.6% and 27.3% needed a thoracostomy or ventilator care, respectively. Conclusion: A pneumothorax is likely to develop when pulmonary disease occurs in neonates. Therefore, it is important to carefully identify pneumothorax and provide appropriate treatment.

Clinical profile and outcome of neonatal pneumothorax in resource-limited neonatal intensive care unit

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2020

Objective of study: To determine the frequency, clinical profile, and outcome of pneumothoraxes in neonates in resource-limited neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. Study design: Prospective cohort. Place and duration of study: The study was carried over a period of 4 years and 6 months at two NICUs of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Multan (January 2011-August 2013) and CMH Abbottabad (September 2013-July 2015). Materials and methods: All neonates fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study. Demographic and clinical parameters were recorded. All stable cases were initially managed on headbox oxygen, nasal oxygen, or improvised bubble continuous positive airway pressure devices (B-CPAP). In suspected cases, pneumothorax was confirmed on a portable chest X-Ray (CXR). Hemodynamically stable neonates were closely observed for spontaneous resolution whereas unstable neonates were managed by needle thoracocentesis or thoracostomy with or without ventilator support. End point of the study was either discharge or death of the neonate. Results: Of a total of 1427 included neonates, 66 (4.6%) developed pneumothorax. Pneumothorax was more common in late pre-term and term infants with normal birth weight (>2.5 kg). Primary diseases leading to pneumothorax were respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) 38 (57.6%), meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) 10 (15.2%), transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN) 9 (13.6%), birth asphyxia syndrome (BAS) 6 (9.1%), and pneumonia 3 (4.5%). Majority of the patients 58 (87.9%), required thoracostomy, 2 (3%) required only needle thoracocentesis while spontaneous resolution occurred in 6 (9.1%) patients. Out of 66 patients, 48 (72.7%) were discharged and 18 (27.3%) died. Average hospital stay was 10.5 ± 5.85 days. Conclusion: Pneumothorax is not an uncommon complication in neonates presenting with respiratory distress in resource-limited NICUs. High index of suspicion is required for early recognition and timely management, as delay is associated with significant mortality.

Newborn Respiratory Distress: Airway Abnormalities

Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI, 2015

Respiratory distress is a common symptom in the newborn. Surfactant deficiency in the preterm infant and meconium aspiration and transient tachypnea in the term newborn are among the most common causes of respiratory distress, but primary airway abnormalities can also present with respiratory distress in the newborn. Delay in diagnosis of airway abnormality can be life threatening. Radiologists are among the first to be consulted in the evaluation of a neonate with respiratory distress, and knowledge of the spectrum of airway anomalies is essential for making the correct diagnosis. This article describes airway abnormalities that can present as respiratory distress in a neonate.

Pneumothorax in neonates: a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit experience

Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine, 2016

Introduction: Pneumothorax occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than in any other period of life and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Several risk factors for pneumothorax, including respiratory pathology, invasive and non-invasive respiratory support, and predictors of mortality have been described.Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of pneumothorax, to assess risk factors and to describe the clinical characteristics, management and outcome of newborn infants with pneumothorax, as well as to identify predictors of mortality in these newborns.Methods: This retrospective case-control study included all newborns hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of “Centro Hospitalar Sao Joao”, Porto, Portugal, between 2003 and 2014, with the diagnosis of pneumothorax. A control group was selected among the newborns without pneumothoraces, admitted to the same NICU during the same period. The collected data included: demographics and perinatal data...

Neonatal Respiratory Distress and Airway Emergency: Report of Two Cases

Children, 2021

We discuss two cases of congenital airway malformations seen in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim is to report extremely rare events characterized by immediate respiratory distress after delivery and the impossibility to ventilate and intubate the airway. The first case is a male twin born at 34 weeks by emergency caesarean section. Immediately after delivery, the newborn was cyanotic and showed severe respiratory distress. Bag-valve-mask ventilation did not relieve the respiratory distress but allowed for temporary oxygenation during subsequent unsuccessful oral-tracheal intubation (OTI) attempts. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed complete subglottic obstruction. Postmortem analysis revealed a poly-malformative syndrome, unilateral multicystic renal dysplasia with a complete subglottic diaphragm, and a tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF). The second case is a male patient that was vaginally born at 35 weeks. Antenatally, an ultrasound (US) arose suspicion for a VACTERL ass...

Tension pneumothorax at anaesthetic induction in an ex-premature infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

BMJ case reports, 2012

ME, a 12-week-old premature infant with a history of complicated ventilatory support at birth, was referred to as a large tertiary centre for urgent retinal laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity. Following routine induction by a consultant paediatric anaesthetist, immediate ventilation difficulties were encountered, associated with a distended abdomen. Rapid assessment and escalation of the situation occurred, including assistance from several consultants. ME was diagnosed as having a pneumothorax. Rapid intervention, including needle decompression and insertion of a chest drain stabilised the patient. The procedure was cancelled, and the patient returned to intensive care. Over the next few days the patient gradually improved, and was gradually stepped down. The patient continued to improve, successfully overcoming the pneumothorax, pneumonia and insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and eventually was discharged back to the referring hospital.

Pneumothorax in a Preterm Neonate: A Case Report

JNMA: Journal of the Nepal Medical Association, 2021

A pneumothorax is an abnormal collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and chest wall. Although this condition commonly occurs in adults, it can also present as complication in neonates requiring assisted ventilation and has high morbidity and mortality. Chest tube placement and needle drainage are some common approaches in management. A late preterm infant born at 35+2 weeks of gestation was admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the management of respiratory distress. He was kept on mechanical Continuous Positive Airway Pressure owing to worsening respiratory distress. Chest X-ray revealed pneumothorax that was successfully managed with venous catheter drainage on second intercostal space with underwater seal. He was discharge on 10th day of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission with stable vitals and normal breathing pattern.