Transient tachypnea of the newborn

Abstract

Transient tachypnea of the newborn is a physiological lung parenchyma disorder that is frequently seen in term and late preterm neonates. It occurs due to insufficient clearing of the fetal alveolar fluid. The clinical status is expected to return to normal within 48-72 hours. Although there is a limited effect of vaginal contractions and starling forces on the pathophysiology of the clearance of fetal lung fluid, the key mechanism is the osmotic gradient formed by the amiloride-sensitive sodium transport via EnaC from pulmonary epithelial cells, which facilitates the transepithelial movement of alveolar fluid from the pulmonary epithelium. Clinically, in patients with tachypnea there is observed to be groaning, flaring of the nostrils when breathing, intercostal and subcostal contractions, a need for oxygen, hypoxia, and occasionally, cyanosis. Oxygen is required in treatment and, in some cases, continuous positive airway pressure.