Spontaneous pneumothorax after a respiratory distress syndrome – a case report

Abstract

Background. Respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) of the newborn is caused by pulmonary surfactant deficiency in the lungs of neonates which leads to alveolar collapse and noncompliant lungs. It can be primary or secondary, due to meconium aspiration or Group B Streptocoocus (GBS) infection. RDS is usually diagnosed with a combination of clinical signs and/or symptoms (apnea, cyanosis, grunting, inspiratory stridor, nasal flaring, poor feeding, and tachypnea), chest radiographic findings, and arterial blood gas Results. In near term or term infants with great respiratory effort, RDS can be complicated with spontaneous pnumothorax.