Evaluation of respiratory distress syndrome on chest A-P view in premature baby, & L.B.W.I in Korea

Chung, E S; Han, C Y; Jeon, J D; Kang, H J

Abstract

Early chest roentgenogram before the appearance of symptoms is extremely important. continuous follow up checkis also necessary. The evaluation of neonatal respiratory distress and its assessment has led to the recognitionof many abnormal roentgenographic patterns especically in premature baby including low birth infant. A closerobservation of chest roentgenogram is necessary in view of "delayed resorption of pulmonary alveolar fluids" inthe early stage of life in premature baby and L.B.W.I. We have reviewed the chest roentgenogram of 110 prematurebabies including low birth weight infants in whom a clinical or roentgenographic diagnosis of R.D.S. and "delayedresortion of pulmonary alveolar fluids" was made during the period Jan. 1979-june 1980. The results are asfollows; 1. On the simple chest roentgenogram only, R.D.S. has higher incidence in male infant(28:17). 2.Clinically the incidence of R.D.S. is 46.2% in premature baby, & 13.3% in L.B.W.I. 3. The onset of clinicalsymptom is in the range of approximately 6 hours to 40 hours after birth. And simple chest A-P taken as early aspossible is helpful in detection & prevention of R.D.S. And follow up check after development of symptom isimportant to diagnose and differenciate type I from type II. 4. The incidence of R.D.S. on simple chestroentgenogram is 9.1% in type I, 16.4% in type II and 1 case inn SUS. I group, and 14.5% in SUS. II group. 5.26.5% of premature baby with normal delivery and 33.3% of those delivered by C-section shows delayed pulmonaryalveolar fluids. 6. Premature is the main cause of R.D.S. with incidence of 38.4%, and C-sec. is increased inmotality rate due to R.D.S.