Abstract:
Background and Aims: Pneumothorax occurs more frequently in the newborn period than at any other time of life and it can be a cause or complication of respiratory distress.
The aims of this study was : To study the different causes of pneumothorax. Propose ways to reduce the incidence and improve the quality of care.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Central Hospital of Army, 19 cases of newborns with pneumothorax were collected over a period of 20 months.
Results: 102 newborns were treated for respiratory distress out of 460 hospitalized (22%), 62 of them required mechanical ventilation (60%). 19 newborns presented with pneumothorax of which 84% were on mechanical ventilation, among them 12 unilateral pneumothorax and 7 bilateral. Mortality directly related to pneumothorax was 21%.
Conclusion: Reducing the incidence of pneumothorax requires improvements not only in mechanical ventilation strategy, but also in delivery and neonatal resuscitation techniques and early treatment.
