DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2022.v08i09.004

Pages: 601-614

Background: Pneumothorax occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than in any other period of life and it is associated with the increased mortality and morbidity. Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of pneumothorax and to assess risk factors, management as well as the outcome of newborn infants with pneumothorax. Subjects and Methods: A case series study of 112 newborns infants with pneumothorax (PTX) who were admitted and treated at NICU in Benghazi children hospital in Libya for three years period, from January 2018 to December 2020 are included in this descriptive study. Medical records were evaluated for baseline characteristics of neonates, predisposing factors of neonatal PTX, management and mortality. Results: During the observed three-year period, 5166 neonates were admitted to hospital and 112 of neonates were diagnosed with pneumothorax (CXR confirmed), so the frequency of pneumothorax was 2.2% from neonatal admission. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 1.9:1. Full term delivery was recorded in 60.7% of patients and 39.3% were pre term. Mean birth weight was 2.5±0.67 kg, with medium weight 2.8kg and minimum weight was 1.08kg and maximum weight was 4.5kg. More than half (68.7%) of patients had birth weight ≥2.5kg. Administration of corticosteroid during pregnancy was recorded in 13.4% of mothers. Concerning mode of delivery, C/S constitute 75%, elective C/S was recorded in 64.3% and 35.7% was emergency, while normal delivery recorded 25%. Spontaneous pneumothorax was found in 32.1%, and secondary pneumothorax was recorded in 67.9% of patients. Age of baby when had PTX was ≤ 48 hours of age in 63.4% of them and >48 hours of age in 36.6%. Side of PTX was at right side in 54.5%, at left side in 22.3% and bilateral in 23.2%. Underlying lung pathology was recorded in 60.7% of patients, 41% had hyaline membrane disease, 8.9% had transient tachypnea of newborn, 6.3% had Congenital Pneumonia, 2.7% had Meconium aspiration ............