Evaluation retrospectively of neonates with pneumothorax who were hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit between 2008 and 2011

Purpose: Pneumothorax is one of the important etiologic factors in newborn which causes respiratory distress. Pneumothorax usually occurs in newborns under mechanical ventilation. Respiratory distress syndrome, meconium aspiration syndrome andresuscitation after birth may also cause pneumothorax. We retrospectively reviewed patients who were hospitalized for pneumothorax in our newborn intensive care unit.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients who were hospitalized for pneumothorax in our newborn intensive care unit between 2008 and 2011. These cases were evaluated according to demographic characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, duration of hospitalization and prognosis.Results: Frequency of pneumothorax was higher in males and term infants. Additionally unilateral and left pneumothorax was seen more often. In our study; pneumothorax developed during mechanical ventilation support in 21 patients. The mortality was % 48,2. There was a significant relationship between mortality and the side of pneumothorax, accompanying disorders, need for surfactant, resuscitation and development of pneumothorax under mechanical ventilation (p<0,05).Conclusion: Pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition with high mortality and morbidity. We found that the mortality rate was higher in patients who development of pneumothorax under mechanical ventilation, need for surfactant, resuscitation indelivery and patients who had bilateral pneumothorax and accompanying disorders.Key words: Pneumothorax, newborn, intensive care unit, mortality.