Clinical Study of Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

Kweon, Young Soo; Jung, Soo Jin; Han, Chang Hee; Jang, Hae Woon; Kim, Ki Ho

Abstract

Transient tachypnea of the newborn(TTN) is a benign self-limited disease characterized by early onset and rapid recovery of tachypnea although it may occasionally have a more prolonged and protracted course. A retrospective clinical study was mad on 29 neonates with TTN admitted to NICU of Pohang St. Mary's Hospital from January 1992 to June 1993. The results were as follows: 1) TTN(36.2%) was the most common cause of respiratory distress in the neonate followed by idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome(23.8%), pneumonia(18.8%), meconium aspiration syndrome(6.2%), perinatal asphyxia(6.2%), polycythemia(3.8%), anemia(1.2%), persistent fetal circulation(1.2%), paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(1.2%) and tracheoesophageal fistula(1.2%) 2) TTN was more frequent in the male term infants but can occur in premature(41.4%) and low birth weight infants(34.5%). 3) The associated perinatal conditions were oxytocin-induction(8 cases, 27.6%), Cesarean delivery(10 cases, 34.5%) and asphyxia(7 cases, 24.2%) 4) Arterial blood gas analysis showed respiratory acidosis in 3 cases and metabolic acidosis in 3 cases but none of TTN showed hypoxia unresponsive to oxygen 5) Chest X-ray showed hyperaeration in 10 cases(34.5%), increased pulmonary vascularity in 8 cases(27.6%), hyperaeration and increased pulmonary vascularity in 6 cases(20.6%) and cardiomegaly in 12 cases(53%). 6) Tachypnea usually appeared within 6hours and abated by 48-72hours but sustained more than 73hours in 7 cases(24.1%) 7) In majority of cases, maximal respiratory rates were below 100 rates/min and administered oxygen concentrations were 20-40%, and their mean values were 81 rates/min, 37.6% respectively. 8) TTN with more prolonged course(> or=48hours) was associated with low birth weight infants, prematurity and higher respiratory rates(> or=100 breaths a minute)(p<0.05).