What happens when a newborn has a collapsed lung?
A collapsed lung (pneumothorax) is a buildup of air in the space between your child’s lung and the chest wall. As more air builds up in this space, the pressure against the lung makes the lung collapse. This causes shortness of breath and chest pain because your child’s lung cannot fully expand.
Why would a newborn’s lung collapse?
A pneumothorax occurs when some of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in a baby’s lung become overinflated and burst. This causes air to leak into the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural space). The most common cause of pneumothorax is respiratory distress syndrome.
What causes atelectasis babies?
The most common causes of atelectasis in the neonatal period are respiratory distress syndrome, bacterial pneumonia, meconium aspiration syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pleural effusion, and pneumothorax.
How is a collapsed lung treated in babies?
How is a pneumothorax treated in a child?
- Giving extra oxygen. Giving oxygen to your child may help heal the air leak more quickly.
- Removing the collected air. The healthcare provider puts a syringe or a thin tube (catheter) through the chest wall into the air space. The air may be removed with the syringe.
What causes a collapsed lung in a boy?
This “spontaneous” pneumothorax most often occurs in tall, teenaged boys. Certain lung diseases including asthma, cystic fibrosis and whooping cough increase the chances of a collapsed lung in children. In infants, a pneumothorax can be the result of respiratory distress syndrome, a condition found most often in premature babies.
When does a pneumothorax occur in an infant?
Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space inside the chest around the lungs, which leads to a lung collapse. This article discusses pneumothorax in infants. A pneumothorax occurs when some of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in a baby’s lung become overinflated and burst.
What are the most common lung problems in premature babies?
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) The most common lung problem in a premature baby is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This was previously known as hyaline membrane disease (HMD). A baby develops RDS when the lungs do not produce sufficient amounts of surfactant. This is a substance that keeps the tiny air sacs in the lung open.
How is a pediatric collapsed lung ( pneumothorax ) treated?
How is a Pediatric Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax) treated? As serious as a collapsed lung sounds, it is usually easily treated with minimally invasive surgery. Often, a collapsed lung will heal by itself.
