Neonatal Pneumothorax: A Descriptive Regional Danish Study

Abstract

Background: Neonatal pneumothorax (PTX) can occur due to underlying pulmonary disease and/or ventilatory support. PTX can also develop at the onset of respiration. PTX can be life-threatening, and prompt diagnosis is essential to reduce mortality.

Objective: To analyse aetiology, demographic aspects, age at diagnosis, required treatment (specifically drainage), and prognosis of all cases of neonatal PTX observed in the North Jutland Region of Denmark from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2014.

Method: Retrospective, descriptive, population-based cohort study.

Results: During the study period there were 48,968 live births and 71 cases of PTX, giving an incidence of PTX of 0.14% (95% Cl: 0.11-0.18). Of these, 21% were bilateral and 59% tension PTX. Fifty-two percent of neonates affected were born at term. Almost all neonates had underlying lung disease, most commonly transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in 39% and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in 42%. Only 3% were considered to have developed PTX at the onset of respiration. In preterm neonates, the median age at diagnosis was 28.5 h (IQR: 18.3-48.6), whereas in infants born at term the median age was 6.1 h (IQR: 1.1-17.2) (p < 0.001). Thirteen percent of PTX infants died. Fifty-nine percent of the infants required drainage of the PTX, more frequently those with RDS than TTN.

Conclusion: Almost all infants with PTX had underlying lung disease, divided equally between RDS and TTN. The diagnosis of PTX was made earlier in infants with TTN than RDS. Neonates with RDS required drainage more often than those with TTN.

Keywords: Chest drain, needle aspiration; Neonatal pneumothorax; Respiratory distress syndrome; Transient tachypnea of the newborn.