[Pneumopericardium in neonatal resuscitation]

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Critical Care
• Cardiology

Context:

• Artificial ventilation is a critical intervention for newborns suffering from hyaline membrane disease.
• Pneumopericardium, the presence of air in the pericardial sac, is a recognized but potentially underreported complication of mechanical ventilation in neonates.
• Accurate in vivo diagnosis of pneumopericardium can be challenging, potentially leading to delayed or missed treatment.

Purpose:

• To review the existing literature on pneumopericardium in neonates undergoing artificial ventilation.
• To describe the clinical presentation and management strategies for this serious complication.
• To present two case studies of neonatal pneumopericardium successfully treated with pericardiocentesis.

Summary:

• Pneumopericardium is a significant risk during mechanical ventilation for neonatal hyaline membrane disease.
• The condition's true incidence may be higher than commonly believed due to diagnostic difficulties.
• Two neonates with pneumopericardium complicating hyaline membrane disease treatment experienced successful outcomes following pericardiocentesis.

Impact:

• This study underscores the importance of recognizing and promptly diagnosing pneumopericardium in ventilated neonates.
• Pericardiocentesis is presented as an effective therapeutic option for neonatal pneumopericardium.
• Improved awareness and diagnostic vigilance can lead to better management and improved outcomes for neonates with this complication.