Atraumatic pneumopericardium in a full-term newborn with fetal tachycardia.

Pneumopericardium is an uncommon complication of the neonatal transition period, occurring in 1.3 percent of premature neonates in intensive care settings. Its occurrence is usually associated with some type of barotrauma or respiratory intervention, such as endotracheal intubation or administration of continuous positive airway pressure, and is almost exclusively a problem for the premature infant. The purpose of this case report is to describe the occurrence of pneumopericardium in a fullterm infant who had no apparent barotrauma and whose symptoms were tachycardia and mild respiratory difficulty. We will also review the diagnosis and current therapy of this potentially serious complication in a newborn who develops respiratory distress during transition.