Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) are the three most common disorders that cause respiratory distress after birth. An understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders and the development of effective therapeutic strategies is required to control these conditions. Here, we review recent papers on the pathogenesis and treatment of neonatal respiratory disease.
Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Parturition ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

PURPOSE: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is usually benign and improves within 72 hours. However, it can also progress to prolonged tachypnea over 72 hours, profound hypoxemia, respiratory failure, and even death. The aim of this study is to find predictable risk factors and describe the clinical courses and outcomes of prolonged TTN (PTTN). METHODS: The medical records of 107 newborns, >35(+0) weeks of gestational age with TTN, who were admitted to the NICU at Seoul Asan Medical Center from January 2001 to September 2007 were reviewed. They were divided into 2 groups based on duration of tachypnea. PTTN was defined as tachypnea > or =72 hours of age, and simple TTN (STTN) as tachypnea <72 hours of age. We randomly selected 126 healthy-term newborns as controls. We evaluated neonatal and maternal demographic findings, and various clinical factors. RESULTS: Fifty-five infants (51%) with total TTN were PTTN. PTTN infants had grunting, tachypnea >90/min, FiO2 >0.4, and required ventilator care more frequently than STTN infants. PTTN had lower level of serum total protein and albumin than STTN. The independent predictable risk factors for PTTN were grunting, maximal respiration rate >90/min, and FiO2 >0.4 within 6 hours of life. CONCLUSION: When a newborn has grunting, respiration rate >90/min, and oxygen requirement >0.4 of FiO2 within 6 hours of life, the infant is at high risk of having persistent tachypnea > or =72 hours. We need further study to find the way to reduce PTTN.
Anoxia ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Medical Records ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Rate ; Risk Factors ; Tachypnea ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a disorder caused by the delayed clearance of fetal alveolar fluid. beta-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol (salbutamol) are known to catalyze lung fluid absorption. This study examined whether inhalational salbutamol therapy could improve clinical symptoms in TTN. Additional endpoints included the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of salbutamol as well as its overall safety. METHODS: From January 2010 through December 2010, we conducted a prospective study of 40 newborns hospitalized with TTN in the neonatal intensive care unit. Patients were given either inhalational salbutamol (28 patients) or placebo (12 patients), and clinical indices were compared. RESULTS: The duration of tachypnea was shorter in patients receiving inhalational salbutamol therapy, although this difference was not statistically significant. The duration of supplemental oxygen therapy and the duration of empiric antibiotic treatment were significantly shorter in the salbutamol-treated group. No adverse effects were observed in either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalational salbutamol therapy reduced the duration of supplemental oxygen therapy and the duration of empiric antibiotic treatment, with no adverse effects. However, the time between salbutamol therapy and clinical improvement was too long to allow definitive conclusions to be drawn. Further studies examining a larger number of patients with strict control over dosage and frequency of salbutamol inhalations are necessary to better direct the treatment of TTN.
Absorption ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; Albuterol* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inhalation ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Lung ; Methods ; Oxygen ; Prospective Studies ; Tachypnea ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn*

The classification of hiatal hernia is made by the position of the gastroesophageal junction. Although sliding hiatal hernia (type 1) is the most common type of hiatal hernia, it is very uncommon to be found in early infancy because it is usually symptom free. We report a case of type 1 hiatal hernia of newborn infant who had diagnosed by simple chest radiography taken because of transient tachypnea of the newborn.
Classification ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Hernia, Hiatal* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Parturition* ; Radiography ; Thorax ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological features, clinical courses, and diagnoses of neonates who are transferred to neonatal intensive care unit of Yeungnam University Hospital due to tachypnea soon after birth. METHODS: Based on medical records, we performed a retrospective study of neonatal intensive care unit admissions due to tachypnea from January 2010 to December 2013. RESULTS: A total of 311 neonates were included in this study. The patient characteristics showed male predominance at 2.65:1. Among the 311 neonates with tachypnea, 127 (40.8%) neonates needed oxygen supply, and 54 (17.4%) neonates needed assisted mechanical ventilation. Transient tachypnea of the newborns (TTN) (158, 50.8%) showed the highest incidence, followed by pneumonia (63, 20.3%), extrapulmonary infection (37, 11.9%), respiratory distress syndrome (21, 6.8%), air leak (16, 5.1%), meconium aspiration syndrome (12, 3.9%), congenital heart disease (5, 1.6%), metabolic acidosis (3, 1%), primary pulmonary hypertension of newborns (2, 0.6%) and anemia (2, 0.6%). CONCLUSION: Although the neonates with tachypnea showed no other respiratory distress symptom, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of other pulmonary diseases as well as TTN and their extra-pulmonary causes. If tachypnea does not improve within a few hours, the clinician should consider further evaluation and management as soon as possible.
Acidosis ; Anemia ; Diagnosis* ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Medical Records ; Oxygen ; Parturition* ; Pneumonia ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Tachypnea ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

Eight neonates with transient tricuspid insufficiency are presented which was confirmed clinical and two dimensional echocardiographic assessment. We found that two dimensional Doppler echocardiography was very useful in the detection of transient tricuspid insufficiency during neonatal age as noninvasive method. Transient tricuspid insufficiency is a clinical disorder in the newborn period caused by myocardial dysfunction, secondary to asphyxia with or without hypoglycemia and associated with right ventricular overloading caused by pulmonary hypertention. The clinical diagnosis was based on a history of perinatal distress, distinctive murmur, ECG changes, biochemical abnormalities and myocardial imaging. 1) The sex ratio of TTI was 1:1. 2) The average gestational age was 34 weeks and mean body weight was 2.06 Kg, respectably. 3) Major symptoms were dyspnea, cyanosis, and tachypnea. 4) Tricuspid regurgitation was detected from the lst day to the 4th day of the life and was improved from the 7th day to the 30th day of the life. 5) The peak velocity through tricuspid valve ranged from the 2.7 m/sec to 4.0 m/sec and the estimated right ventricular pressure ranged from 39 mmHg to 74 mmHg. 6) Associated diseases were neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (100%), prematurity (87.5%), atrial right to left shunt (87.5%), patent ductus arteriosus (75%), hyaline membrane disease (25%), and transient tachypnea of newborn (12.5%).
Asphyxia ; Body Weight ; Cyanosis ; Diagnosis ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hyaline Membrane Disease ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal ; Hypoglycemia ; Infant, Newborn ; Sex Ratio ; Tachypnea ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn ; Tricuspid Valve ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; Ventricular Pressure

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).
Acidosis ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; Anoxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Cardiomegaly ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Tachypnea ; Thorax ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn*

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).
Acidosis ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; Anoxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Cardiomegaly ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Tachypnea ; Thorax ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn*

PURPOSE: This study is for being aware of clinical manifestations in neonates with tachypnea; discussing the early clinical characteristics that would lead to prolonged symptoms; and investigating the predictive factors that would cause more morbid and progressive diseases other than transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). METHODS: Based on the medical records, we retrospectively investigated 44 neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Dongguk University Hospital of Pohang for tachypnea, from March 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005. RESULTS: The patient characteristics showed male predominance of 2.6:1. Among the 44 neonates with tachypnea, TTN (24 cases, 54.5%) showed the highest incidence, followed by pneumonia (6 cases, 13.6%), idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (5 cases, 11.4%), meconium aspiration syndrome (4 cases, 9.1%), cardiac disease (2 cases, 4.5%), sepsis (2 cases, 4.5%) and neonatal asphyxia (1 case, 2.3%). We compared TTN group with other groups including pneumonia, idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome, and meconium aspiration syndrome. We observed less incidence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM) (P<0.05); less likely to develop tachypneic symptom after 12 hours postpartum (P<0.05); shorter duration of tachypneic symptom (P<0.05); and less incidence of nasal flaring (P<0.05) in TTN group. CONCLUSION: The higher chance of pulmonary complications was observed in tachypneic neonates with either history of PROM or onset of tachypneic symptom after 12 hours postpartum. The prolonged tachypneic symptom and combined pulmonary complications were seemed to be accompanied with neonates showing nasal flaring.
Asphyxia ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Male ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Medical Records ; Membranes ; Pneumonia ; Postpartum Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Sepsis ; Tachypnea* ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

PURPOSE: Respiratory morbidity is the most common problem among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Therefore, the aim of this study was to make a differential diagnosis between transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and pneumonia through comparison of clinical features and test results. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in 86 infants with TTN, RDS, or pneumonia. These were infants who had respiratory distress, were born after ≥34 weeks of gestation, and transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit of Kosin University Gospel Hospital between June 1, 2011 and June 30, 2016. RESULTS: The numbers (percentage) of infants with TTN, RDS, and pneumonia were 51 (59.3%), 20 (23.3%), and 15 (17.4%), respectively. Late-preterm and early-term newborns accounted for 65.1% of the infants. Tachypnea was observed in 74.4% of the neonates. The median age at admission was 4 hours (0 to 116) after birth. The infants with RDS had significantly lower birth weights, pH levels, base excess and oxygen saturation levels at admission, longer duration of total ventilator therapy, and hospital stay than those in the other two groups. The infants with pneumonia showed significantly high initial high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and significant chest radiographic findings. CONCLUSION: Early differential diagnosis for TTN, RDS, and pneumonia is challenging because they show similar respiratory symptoms at an early stage. Clinical features and test results can be used to determine the etiology of respiratory distress and early antibiotic treatment.
Birth Weight ; C-Reactive Protein ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Length of Stay ; Oxygen ; Parturition ; Pneumonia ; Pregnancy ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiration Disorders ; Retrospective Studies ; Tachypnea ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn ; Ventilators, Mechanical