Double Lung Point Vs X-Ray in Transient Tachypnea of Newborn

Transient Tachypnea of Newborn

Abstract

Background: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTNB) is one of the most common causes of perinatal dyspnea and is traditionally diagnosed by chest x-ray. Lung ultrasound is an upcoming tool which is being proved in recent studies to have a better diagnostic capability with the main characteristic feature being the Double Lung Point. Aims & objectives: To define ultrasonographic appearance of TTNB, evaluate its clinical relevance for early diagnosis and compare the outcome with xray and to assess the diagnostic ability of Double lung point.Subjects and Methods:All newborns presenting with tachypnea within 4 hours of life in 1 years of study period. (November 2017-May 2019) were enrolled for study. Methods of collection of data: All newborns fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included as study subjects, At same time CHEST XRAY and LUS were done. Statistical analysis: Fishers exact test was used as test of significance for qualitative data. Continuous data was represented as mean and standard deviation. Mann Whitney U test and Kruskul-wallis test was used for subgroup analysis. P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Result:In study period of 1 years 99 cases which were admitted in NICU with respiratory distress meeting the criteria were included. 60 cases were diagnosed to have TTNB, 34 RDS & 5 Pneumonia. Chest xray and Lung ultrasound (LUS) of these 60 TTNB cases were compared . LUS of TTNB and other cases was also compared for presence of double lung point (DLP). The sensitivity & specificity of DLP in diagnosis of TTNB was noted to be 68 % & 100 % respectively with 100 % Positive predictive value. Thus confirming LUS to be a more reliable diagnostic tool than x-ray.Conclusion:Therefore LUS could be used widely in NICU as 1st line of diagnostic medium in diagnosis of various respiratory conditions and early initiation of treatment accordingly.