Vol. 8, Issue 2 (2019)

Aim of the study: To study the frequency, causes, possible risk factors and early outcome of respiratory distress in full term newborn.

Patients and methods: A prospective case control study was conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit at Al-Yarmook teaching hospital in Baghdad over a period of 6 months that extends from January 1st 2016 to June 30th 2016. A questionnaire was designed to gather information from mothers of participants in both groups after obtaining their written consent to participate in the study. These information's include their age, parity, antenatal care, chronic diseases including diabetes and/or asthma, mode of delivery whether by normal vaginal delivery or by cesarean section (whether emergency or elective). Data were collected about possible neonatal risk factors, this include sex, birth weight and gestational age for the purpose of including or excluding from the study.

Results: During the 6 months study period, 2173 neonates were delivered at the delivery rooms of Al-Yarmook teaching hospital, out of these, sixty full term neonates were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with respiratory distress representing (2.76%) of the total live births. The majority of full term neonates who had presented with respiratory distress were diagnosed as transient tachypnea of newborn that accounted for (70%) of total cases with respiratory distress and (1.9%) of the total neonates delivered during the study period followed by meconium aspiration syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome and congenital pneumonia and congenital heart disease in (10%, 8%, 5% and 3%) of total cases with respiratory distress, respectively. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and choanal Artesia had been diagnosed in only 2% from the total cases with respiratory distress for each. Gender distribution of respiratory distress cases shows a statically significant male predominance with a male: female ratio of 1.8:1. Age of mother, maternal asthma and smoking, mother with absent antenatal care and finally delivery by cesarean section particularly elective one was found to be risk factors for full term respiratory distress. From the total 60 cases with respiratory distress, three cases (5%) had died representing (0.13%) of total live birth.

Conclusions: Respiratory distress is still an important cause for admission of full term newborns to neonatal care unit. Transient tachypnea of the newborn is the commonest cause of respiratory distress in full term, while surgical conditions as choanal Artesia and congenital diaphragmatic hernia are rare causes of Cesarean section, mother with absent antenatal care and maternal diabetes are risk factors for respiratory distress.