Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

Early pulmonary interstitial emphysema in the newborn: a grave prognostic sign

M A Heneghan, R Sosulski, M B Alarcon

    Clinical Pediatrics
    |July 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) in newborns within the first 24 hours is a serious sign. Early PIE, especially in premature infants, is linked to higher mortality and poor prognosis, often due to sepsis or lung immaturity.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal Medicine
    • Pediatric Pulmonology
    • Medical Imaging

    Background:

    • Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a known complication in neonates.
    • The early diagnostic and prognostic significance of PIE within the first 24 hours of life requires further elucidation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic implications of PIE appearing within the first 24 hours of life in newborns.
    • To identify factors associated with early-onset PIE and its impact on neonatal outcomes.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective review of chest radiographs and clinical records of 58 newborns diagnosed with PIE.
    • Analysis of the timing of PIE onset (early vs. late) and its correlation with gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, and mortality.

    Main Results:

    • Thirty-nine infants (early PIE) developed PIE within the first 24 hours.
    • Early PIE, without infection, correlated with younger gestational age, lower birth weight, lower Apgar scores, and increased mortality.
    • In neonates <30 weeks gestational age, early PIE occurred at low ventilation pressures, suggesting barotrauma sensitivity.
    • In neonates >30 weeks gestational age, early PIE was strongly linked to bacterial sepsis.

    Conclusions:

    • Early-onset PIE in neonates is a significant indicator of poor prognosis.
    • Survival is primarily influenced by coexisting risk factors like extreme prematurity, birth asphyxia, and perinatal infection.
    • Early PIE in very preterm infants may result from lung barotrauma, while in older neonates, it often signifies sepsis.

    More Related Videos

    A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn11:27

    A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

    Published on: April 7, 2023

    Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

    Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

    Published on: October 31, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

    Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

    In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
    Pneumothorax-I01:26

    Pneumothorax-I

    A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
    Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
    Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

    Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

    Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
    Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology01:10

    Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

    Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...
    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema01:23

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

    Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

    Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...