Transient tachypnea of the newborn: are there bedside clues for predicting the need of ventilation support?

Abstract

Decision making to transfer a late preterm or term neonate with the diagnosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) to an intensive care unit for respiratory support is a challenge for caregivers in level one and two NICUs. The aim of this study was to identify "practical bedside clinical clues" that may help to predict the severity of disease and need for respiratory support in patients with the diagnosis of TTN. Newborns having the diagnosis of TTN were classified into two groups according to the intensity of the respiratory support. Infants receiving only supplemental oxygen and infants requiring nasal continuous positive airway pressure or mechanical ventilation constituted group 1 (mild) and group 2 (severe), respectively. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between the two groups. Patients in group 2 had lower gestational age, higher Silverman and Richardson scores, longer mean duration of oxygen support and hospitalization. A positive correlation was found between subcostal and xiphoid retractions, asynchrony in chest-abdomen movements, arterial pH < 7.30, ratio of PaO < sub > 2 < /sub > / % inspired O < sub > 2 < /sub > < 1.2 and need of respiratory support (p < 0.05). We suggest that simple scores can help physicians to get a good sense of a given baby's likelihood of deterioration.