Contents:
- Medical Video: Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn
- What is transient tachypnea (TTN)?
- Who is at risk of experiencing this?
- What are the Transient Tachypnea signs and symptoms in newborns?
- How do doctors diagnose this breath disorder?
- Is Transient Tachypnea of Newborn dangerous?
- How is this condition treated?
Medical Video: Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn
During the first weeks of his birth, there are many changes that the baby experiences to be able to adapt to the world around him. One of the organs that develops is the lungs. If during the womb, the baby "breathes" through the help of the mother's blood flow, after birth she will have to be able to breathe alone through her lungs. Transient Tachypnea of Newborn (TTN) is one type of respiratory problem that is quite often found in newborns. What is the cause, what are the symptoms, and can this condition be dealt with?
What is transient tachypnea (TTN)?
Babies can immediately breathe on their own with their lungs once they are born into the world. But the breathing process of a newborn is certainly a little different from an older baby or even an adult.
During the womb, the baby's lungs are still filled with fluid released by the alveoli (the place of exchange of air with blood) to maintain normal function and development.
Ideally, this liquid must be emptied so that the lungs can fill with air. To achieve this, the baby's brain will stimulate the adrenergic system during the period before birth to make the lung fluid absorbed into the pulmonary arteries and lymphatic system.
If the absorption process of the lungs is hampered by one thing or another, the baby can experience shortness of breath. Fast and tight breath conditions in newborns are called transient tachypnea.
Transient tachypnea is a short-lived respiratory disorder in newborns. It usually occurs shortly after birth or a few hours after birth, but less than 24 hours. TTN is the main cause of respiratory distress syndrome in newborns.
Who is at risk of experiencing this?
Transient tachypnea is a fairly frequent health problem in newborns. TTN is found in 4-6 babies per 1000 live births.
Transient tachypnea risk factors can include:
- Babies born with caesarean section
- Baby boy
- Babies who have a history of asthma in their family
- Macrosomia babies (large birth weight; more than 4 kilograms)
- Born of a mother who has a history of diabetes
What are the Transient Tachypnea signs and symptoms in newborns?
The main sign of this respiratory disorder is a baby who breathes quickly and deeply, looks tight, and is followed by the sound of breathing sounds like snoring. Breath rate in infants who experience Transient tachypnea more than 60 times per minute, can even reach 80-100 times per minute.
When breathing, the baby's chest looks inside because the chest wall muscles are attracted. While when exhaling, the baby's chest will look bulging. Baby's skin can also appear blue because of difficulty breathing, especially the skin around the mouth and nose.
These symptoms generally appear within 6 hours after delivery.
How do doctors diagnose this breath disorder?
Doctors can diagnose TTN with a chest x-ray as soon as the baby begins to show symptoms. X-rays are performed to look for fluid in the baby's lungs.
A new transient diagnosis of tachypnea may be inaugurated after the doctor removes the suspicion of other conditions that can also cause respiratory problems, such as pneumonia, meconium aspiration syndrome (inhalation of feces during utero), hyaline membrane disease, and pulmonary edema.
Is Transient Tachypnea of Newborn dangerous?
In general, TTN is not a dangerous condition. With fast handling, the baby can gradually breathe normally. TTN generally improves within 2-5 days. In some cases it may take longer, depending on the condition of the baby and the treatment he receives.
How is this condition treated?
In general, transient tachypnea in newborns is treated with oxygen assistance.
Infants who experience shortness of breath can be given ASI through a nose tube or mouth hose to prevent food from entering the lungs, which can cause aspiration pneumonia. If the baby's breath after being measured is more than 80 times per minute, the baby must be fasted and given food through an IV.
Some babies who experience TTN can be given antibiotics if their symptoms are suspected to be caused by an infection such as pneumonia or sepsis.
Transient tachypnea itself does not cause complications. If complications arise, it is usually caused by oxygen therapy given. Talk further with the doctor who handles your baby for concerns about complications and other questions.
