Identification of pneumothorax in very preterm infants

Abstract

Objective: To compare respiratory and other morbidities between very preterm infants with and without a pneumothorax and to determine whether infants at higher risk of pneumothorax can be identified early in their course. Study design: Preterm infants at 23 to 28 weeks' gestation with pneumothorax were compared with matched control subjects. Demographic and clinical data from birth through the first 72 hours were compared. Results: Sixty-two (9.2%) of 675 infants had pneumothorax. There were no significant differences in the baseline maternal and infant characteristics. Mortality was significantly higher in the pneumothorax group (43%) versus control subjects (13%). There was no significant ..