Abstract:

Introduction and Purpose: This study aims to identify the risk factors affecting mortality and morbidity in cases that have been seen and treated by tube thoracostomy after being diagnosed with pneumothorax at our hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Material and Method: 17 cases that have been seen and diagnosed with pneumothorax at the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2010 and January 2013 were retrospectively investigated. Results: Mortality was found to be high among infants under 2500gr and mechanically-ventilated patients. While no non-ventilated cases were lost, 6 (60%) of the 10 mechanically-ventilated patients were lost. 4 (67%) of these 6 patients were female, and 2(33%) were male. Also, 4 (67%) of these 6 patients were under 2500gr. Mortality rate was found to be 35%. Conclusion:Mortality rate is high in spontaneous pneumothorax patients in the neonatal period. Prematurity, underlying primary pulmonary disease, mechanical ventilator procedures are predisposing factors for the development of pneumothorax. In our study, mortality rate was found to be high consistent with the literature in mechanically-ventilated patients under 2500 gr who also have other anomalies. Pneumothorax should be noted in the sudden deterioration of the general condition particularly in mechanically-ventilated patients.

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