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

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.