Etiology, clinical profile and outcome of neonatal pneumothorax in tertiary care center in South India: 13 years experience

Abstract

Background Pneumothorax is a medical emergency and is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality in newborns. It may lead to acute respiratory failure, systemic hypoperfusion, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and death. There is a paucity of data from developing countries about the epidemiology of pneumothorax. Objective This descriptive study was planned to study the clinical and epidemiological profile of hospitalized neonates with pneumothorax. Material and methods In this retrospactive study neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2016 were reviewed.Relevant statistical analyses were done. Results There were 144,166 live births and 189 inborn cases of pneumothorax; hence, the incidence was 1.3 per 1000 live births. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 2:1. 50.1% of affected neonates were preterm, mean gestational age being 35.2 ± 3.9 weeks. The mean birth weight was 2238 ± 794 g. Overall median age at diagnosis was 21 h (IQR: 4–48 h), longer in preterm neonates compared to term. Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) was the most common underlying pulmonary disorder. Pneumothorax was drained in 89.2% of tension and only 16.3% of nontension pneumothoraces. Approximately 20% of the neonates were treated with needle aspiration alone and about 24% were treated conservatively. Mortality rate among neonates with pneumothorax was 21.6%. Statistically significant risk factors for mortality were very low birth weight (VLBW) (OR: 2.47, 1.31–4.68), tension pneumothorax (OR: 2.79, 1.05–7.4), and pulmonary hypoplasia (OR: 7.5, 2.8–20.2). Multiple attempts of needle drainage were needed in 2.5% of the cases. The neonates, both term and preterm, requiring drainage had longer duration of hospital stay when compared to those without requirement of drainage. Conclusion We propose a trial of needle aspiration prior to ICD insertion and intubation which will prevent the complications related to intubation.