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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Neonatal diaphragmatic paralysis caused by chest drains
H Arya1, J Williams, S N Ponsford
1Department of Neonatal Paediatrics, Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|April 1, 1991
Summary
A premature infant experienced diaphragmatic paralysis and prolonged ventilation due to bilateral pneumothoraces. Chest drain insertion likely caused phrenic nerve damage, but the infant fully recovered.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neurology
Background:
- Premature infants are susceptible to respiratory distress.
- Pneumothorax is a known complication in neonates requiring intervention.
Observation:
- A 32-week gestation male infant presented with bilateral pneumothoraces.
- Multiple chest drains were inserted for management.
- The infant required 52 days of mechanical ventilation due to bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.
Findings:
- Electrophysiological studies confirmed phrenic nerve damage.
- The diaphragmatic paralysis was attributed to the chest drain insertion procedure.
- The infant achieved a complete recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential iatrogenic cause of phrenic nerve injury in neonates.
- Careful technique during chest drain insertion is crucial.
- Early diagnosis and supportive care can lead to favorable outcomes in diaphragmatic paralysis.
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