The causes of prolonged transient tachypnea of the newborn: A cross-sectional study in a Turkish maternity hospital

Aim Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is one of the most important acute respiratory diseases in the newborn period, caused by delay in absorption of fetal lung liquid. The aim of this study was to describe risk factors for prolonged tachypnea in TTN. Methods Forty-one of 3,766 infants (1%) born alive in our hospital between September 1 2009 and February 28 2011 were diagnosed with TTN. Forty healthy babies born in the same period were selected as a control group. Results Twenty-three (56%) of our patients were males and 18 (43.9%) females. The gestational age (37.7±1.8 weeks) and Apgar score at 5 min (9.1±0.8) were significantly lower than those of controls (38.4±1 weeks and 9.5±0.7, respectively; p=0.043 and p=0.04, respectively). The durations of tachypnea in patients were less than 72 h in 34 (82.9%) cases and over 72 h in seven (17%). When compared to the newborn whose tachypnea duration was less than 72 h, male gender (100% vs. 0%, p=0.028), high respiratory rates (105.2±17.4/min vs. 79.8±15.1/min, p=0.007), and high leukocyte count (23200±16807 vs. 15319±5608/mL, p=0.034) were found risk factors for tachypnea in more than 72 h. The most important factor prolonging hospitalization was long duration of tachypnea (p=0.027). Conclusion The most important risk factors for the development of TTN were prematurity and asphyxia. Tachypnea durations were longer in males with high respiratory rates and leukocyte counts. The duration of hospitalization was directly proportional to the duration of tachypnea.