Pneumothorax in neonates with meconium aspiration.

Abstract

Objectives: Recent years have seen advances in respiratory supports for meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) but pneumothorax (PTX) still stands a significant indicator of disease severity. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of PTX in newborn with meconium aspiration. Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Medicine, Unit 1, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, and Department of Pediatric Medicine, Ghazi Khan Medical College/Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan. Period: 1^st June 2017 to 30^th September 2018. Material and Methods: A total of 736 patients with meconium aspiration of age 1-28 days and both genders were included. Patients with congenital heart anomalies and preterm infants were excluded. Presence or absence of PTX in each patient was noted. Results: Age range in this study was from 1 to 28 days with mean age of 12.80 ± 6.52 days. Majority of the patients 434 (58.97%) were between 1 to 14 days of age. Out of the 736 patients, 394 (53.53%) were male and 342 (46.47%) were females with male to female ratio of 1.2:1. Frequency of PTX in newborn with meconium aspiration was found in 176 (23.91%) patients. Conclusion: Frequency of PTX in newborn with meconium aspiration is quite high. In every newborn with meconium aspiration, proper management should be done for early prevention as well as taking therapeutic measures in this particular population.