Demographic and clinical characteristics of newborn pneumothorax patients and their effects on respiratory function tests during childhood
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In brief
In brief
This retrospective cohort study of 229 neonates with pneumothorax requiring tube thoracostomy found 31% mortality and significantly reduced respiratory function (FEV1/FVC ratio) at school age compared to controls. The findings suggest neonatal pneumothorax may cause persistent obstructive changes, warranting long-term pulmonary surveillance in survivors.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air between the parietal and visceral leaves of the pleura, resulting in lung collapse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory functions of these patients when they reach school age and to reveal whether they cause permanent respiratory pathology.
Methods
The files of 229 patients who were hospitalised in a neonatal intensive care clinic had received a diagnosis of pneumothorax and had undergone tube thoracostomy were included in a retrospective cohort review. The respiratory functions of participants in the control and patient groups were evaluated using spirometry in a prospective cross-sectional study design.
Results
The study found the rates of pneumothorax to be higher in males, term infants and after caesarean delivery, mortality was 31%. Among patients who underwent spirometry, those with a history of pneumothorax had lower forced expiratory volume at timed intervals of 0.5 to 1.0 (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory flow 25–75% (MEF25-75). FEV1/FVC ratio was significantly lower (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Patients treated for pneumothorax in the neonatal period should be evaluated for obstructive pulmonary diseases during childhood using respiratory function tests.