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Transient tachypnea of the newborn
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- Transient Tachypnea of the newborn, or TTN, occurs in newborns less than 24 to 48 hours old. It is most common in babies born by Caesarian section, but also occurs in those born vaginally.
- TTN is caused by a failure of the
lungs to completely empty of amniotic fluid during the
delivery process. It is named for the major characteristics
of the disease:
- "Transient," because it will usually resolve over the first 48 hours of life
- "Tachypnea," meaning "rapid breathing," which is the main symptom
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- Rapid respiratory rate, often reaching 60-70 breaths/minute or more (normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 20-40/minute).
- Grunting noises upon expiration
- Retractions (drawing in of the skin between the ribs with inspiration)
- Flaring of the nasal openings with inspiration
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- Although diagnosis is usually made on the basis of physical examination, chest X-rays may be taken for confirmation.
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- Oxygen supplementation
- Observation until the tachypnea resolves
- In some babies, rapid respiratory
rates prevents feeding, (because the work of breathing makes the babies too tired to feed). In these infants, IV fluids may be required until breathing slows.
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- The majority of infants suffer no permanent ill effects from TTN.
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- Vaginal delivery of full-term infants, whenever medically possible and appropriate, decreases the risk of TTN.
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