Background
A descriptive study was conducted in AL Fallujah Teaching Hospital for women and children to determine the prevalence and etiology of respiratory distress in the newborns delivered over the 6 months duration from 1st September 2018 to 1st March 2019.
Patients and methods
All live newborns delivered at AL Fallujah Teaching Hospital for women and children during the period of study were included and observed for development of respiratory distress.
Results
All newborns (n=5828), delivered at AL Fallujah hospital over the 6 months duration were observed for respiratory distress. The overall prevalence of respiratory distress was 2.5%.Prevalence was 54.4% in term and 42.2% in preterm and 3.4% in post term. Transient tachypnea of newborn was found to be the commonest 40.8% cause of respiratory distress followed by Hyaline membrane disease 34.7%, meconium aspiration syndrome 14.3%, congenital pneumonia 2% and other congenital anomalies 8.2%. Transient tachypnea of newborn was found to be common among term and near-term babies, while hyaline membrane disease was seen among preterm, and meconium aspiration syndrome among term and post term babies.
Conclusion
Respiratory distress is a common neonatal problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Transient tachypnea of newborn was a major cause followed by hyaline membrane disease and meconium aspiration syndrome.