Patterns of Chest Radiographic Findings in Neonates with Respiratory Distress Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital

Abstract

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress accounts for most admissions to intensive care units in the immediate newborn period. Chest radiograph is the primary and most important imaging modality in the evaluation of causes of respiratory distress (RD) and its complications. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2011 to August 2012 in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH). A convenient sampling method was used and 150 neonates who had chest radiographs with different causes of RD from the neonatal ICU admissions were included in the study period. Result: Of the 150 neonates with RD, chest radiographs showed 66(44%) neonates had abnormal chest radiographic findings. Pneumonia 24(36.4%) and HMD 23(34.8%) accounting the majority of causes of RD. Neonates with congenital pneumonia presented with lobar or multi lobar asymmetric consolidation in 18(75%) neonates followed by fine diffuse, bilateral, symmetrical reticulogranular and reticulonodular infiltrates with normal lung volume in 6(25%) neonates. All 23 neonates with HMD presented with fine, diffuse, bilateral reticular or reticulogranular infiltrates with decreased lung volume. There is no significant association between independent variables like maturity of neonates, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), prolonged labor or route of delivery with either clinical or radiological diagnosis of causes of RD in neonates. all 23 neonates with HMD presented with fine diffuse bilateral reticular or reticulogranular infiltrates with decreased lung volumes. There is no significant association between independent variables like maturity of neonates, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), prolonged labor or route of delivery with either clinical or radiological diagnosis of causes of RD in neonates. Conclusion: The study showed HMD and infections (EONS, pneumonia) were the most common causes of RD in neonates and most other researches also show comparable results of causes and radiographic findings of RD in neonates.