Analysis of the etiology and treatment of chylothorax in 119 pediatric patients in a single clinical center

Retrospective analysis of 119 pediatric chylothorax cases over 17 years, stratified by age group. Idiopathic causes predominated in neonates (72%), while cardiothoracic surgery was the leading cause in infants and older children. Conservative management with fasting succeeded in 51-79% of cases across age groups, with escalation to thoracic injection or surgical ligation when needed.