Neonatal pneumothorax: symptoms, signs and timing of onset in the post-surfactant era

• Published in: The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine Vol. 35; no. 25; pp. 5438 - 5442
• Main Authors: Andersson, J., Magnuson, A., Ohlin, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Incidence; mortality; neonatal pneumothorax; post-surfactant era; symptom onset; mortality; neonatal pneumothorax; post-surfactant era; symptom onset; Incidence
• ISSN: 1476-7058; 1476-4954
• DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1882981

The primary objective was to describe the incidence, symptoms, clinical signs, and time of onset of neonatal pneumothorax in Örebro County during 2011-2017. Secondary objectives were to describe risk factors, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and mortality and to compare preterm with term/post-term neonates. This retrospective population-based descriptive study included all neonates born in Örebro County during 2011-2017 and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Örebro University Hospital at age <28 days with an x-ray verified diagnosis of "Pneumothorax originating in the perinatal period" in their medical record. Seventy-five neonates matched the inclusion criteria. The incidence of neonatal pneumothorax in Örebro County during the study period was 3.1 (95% CI: 2.5-3.8) per 1000 live births. All neonates were <48 h at debut of respiratory symptoms and the most common symptom was tachypnea. Twelve (16%) received invasive treatment. The mortality rate was 2 (3%), none due to pneumothorax. The incidence of 3.1 per 1000 live births was relatively high, but the frequency of invasive treatment and mortality was low, indicating a high proportion of mild pneumothoraces. The lack of patients aged >48 h indicates that most neonatal pneumothoraces now occur very early in life.