Etiologies of pneumothoraces in the NICU of Mofid children hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background: Pneumothorax is the most common air leak syndrome and far more frequent in the neonatal period than any other time of life. Objective: To evaluate the etiologies of pneumothoraces in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: In a prospective study, Barotrauma, Secondary pulmonary infections, unskilled endotracheal intubation, asynchrony between the patients breathing and ventilator and ventilation with self-inflating bag were studied on 50 NICU patients of Mofid children hospital. Findings: MAP was above the critical level in 18% of the cases. 72% of cases had pneumothoraces in the right side and 16% bilaterally. Asychrony was seen in 38.6% of the cases, secondary pulmonary infections in 46% and malposition of ET tube in 36%. Ventilation with manual bag were done in all cases. The bags lacked manometer and pop-off valve. Conclusion: Barotrauma had the main probable role in the etiology of pneumothoraces and is probably caused by self-inflating bags without pop-off valve and manometer.