Open AccessSevere Pulmonary Air Leak Complicating Neonatal Resuscitation
Author(s) -
. Supriya,
Perumalla Bhavani Deepthi,
S A Giridhar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2020/45316.14076
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory distress , pneumothorax , subcutaneous emphysema , pneumomediastinum , palpation , resuscitation , asymptomatic , surgery , lethargy , positive pressure , air trapping , leak , anesthesia , computed tomography , environmental engineering , engineering
Air leaks are an important respiratory morbidity in neonates and can result from positive pressure breaths administered at birth. The presentations can vary from being asymptomatic to severe respiratory distress and hypoxaemia. This report is about a term boy who presented with respiratory distress immediately after birth, following resuscitation. He also had a diffuse swelling in the nape of the neck and interscapular region with crepitus on palpation. Serial chest radiographs initially revealed a pneumomediastinum and a subcutaneous emphysema, followed later by a right-sided pneumothorax. After chest drain insertion and supportive care, the air leaks resolved, with no residual complications. Severe air leaks with multi-site air tracking can rarely complicate positive pressure administration at birth, requiring timely intervention to optimise outcomes.