Epidemiology and outcomes of respiratory distress in newborns

Respiratory distress of newborns is one of the most frequent causes of infant admission to intensive care units, the development of severe complications of the neonatal period and lethal outcomes.

The objective was to study the epidemiology and outcomes of respiratory distress in newborns requiring intensive care measures.

Materials and methods. The design was a retrospective observational study. We examined 180 newborns, the mean weight was 1620 (1075–2197.5) g, and the gestational age was 31.8 (29–34.5) weeks. Apgar score at minute 1 was 5 (4–7) and at minute 5 was 7 (6–7) scores. The duration of artificial lung ventilation was 2 (12.5–242) hours, and the duration of treatment in the NICU was 10 (6–19) days. Lethal outcomes occurred in 6 (3%) cases.

Results. The most frequent cause of respiratory distress in newborns was respiratory distress syndrome in newborns (53%). The second place was occupied by asphyxia in childbirth (31%). Intra-amniotic infection was detected in 11 (6%) newborns, and intrauterine pneumonia in 5 (3%) infants. Transient tachypnea was registered in 6 (3%) newborns, and meconium aspiration syndrome – in 8 (4%) patients. In premature infants, the most severe course of respiratory distress was noted in pneumonia and asphyxia, in mature infants – in meconium aspiration syndrome. The maximum duration of intensive care measures was observed in intra-amniotic infection – 16 days and respiratory distress syndrome – 11 days. The outcome in 47% was favorable – complete recovery. Unfavorable outcomes included intraventricular hemorrhage (12%), combination of two or more complications (20%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (5%), and persistent arterial ductus (4%).

Conclusion. The outcome of respiratory distress in newborns with adequate assessment of the severity of the condition and timely initiated evidence-based treatment is determined not by the main clinical diagnosis, but by the gestational age and severity of the infant condition at the time of birth.

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