BACKGROUND AND AIM: Neonatal respiratory distress in full term newborns can be due to several etiologies. Therefore, different clinical features and evolution may be observed. The aim of this study is to determine the particularities of the epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of respiratory distress in full term newborns.
METHOD:It is a retrospective study including 269 full term neonates admitted in the NICU of Sfax, for respiratory distress from January 2013 to December 2014.
RESULTS:Neonatal respiratory distress in full term newborns accounted for 8,7% of hospitalizations during the study period. The sex ratio was 1,9. The most common cause was transient tachypnea of the newborn (74,3%) followed by persistent pulmonary hypertension (13,4%), meconium aspiration syndrome (8,2%), respiratory distress syndrome (2,6%), neonatal infection (1,1%) and clear liquid aspiration (0,4%). Delivery was by c-section in 59,0% of cases. It was out of labor in 32,7% of cases. Respiratory management consisted in oxygen administration via hood (79%), nasal continuous positive airway pressure (5,4%) and invasive ventilation (19%). High frequency oscillation ventilation was needed in 7% of cases. The average duration of oxygen administration was 58,5 hours. The most common complications were persistent pulmonary hypertension (11,9%), nosocomial infections (11,2%), and pneumothorax (4,5%). Mortality rate was 2,6%. Only 144 infants were followed till five years. Twelve have presented bronchiolitis and three have developed infant asthma.
CONCLUSIONS:Neonatal respiratory distress is common in full term newborns. It is often benign; nevertheless it can be severe and life-threatening. Prognosis can be improved by a better perinatal management.
