Congenital pleural effusion in fetuses and neonates: cases report and literature review of 6 cases

Abstract

Objective To discuss the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of congenital pleural effusion in fetuses and neonates in order to improve the understanding of this disease. Methods Six neonate cases with congenital pleural effusion were retrospectively analyzed in neonates who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University after birth and the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and related treatment were analyzed based on literature review. Results Among 6 patients with congenital pleural effusion, chylothorax was found in 3 cases, one of whom had chylothorax, chylous abdominal, 21 trisomy syndrome and congenital hypothyroidism, and the etiology of the other 3 cases were unknown.Diagnosis mainly was depended on imaging and laboratory tests.The number of nucleated cells of hydrothorax or ascites were (1 588-13 057)×106/L, mainly lymphocytes.Protein qualitative was (+ -+ + +), the chylothorax qualitative test was positive in 3 cases.The liver function showed that the total protein and albumin were decreased in varyig degrees.Conservative or surgical treatment was taken according to the situation of the patients.Among 6 patients, 3 cases were cured after treatment, the others gave up treatment finally. Conclusions The etiology of congenital pleural effusion was different, and often associated with chromosomal abnormalities or other malformations, ultrasonography was the main method to diagnose congenital pleural effusion and the patients should be dynamically observed or treated during the antepartum or intrapartum period.If the neonates are found to have pleural effusion in prenatal period early diagnosis and treatment is a best choice. Key words: Congenital pleural effusion; Fetal and neonatal; Etiology; Diagnosis; Treatment