Radiology – Integrated Training Initiative (R-ITI) | Paediatrics | Neonatal Respiratory Distress: Medical Conditions

Neonatal Respiratory Distress: Medical Conditions
Session Overview
Description
This session explores medical conditions in neonatal respiratory distress through a series of normal and abnormal radiographs.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the various respiratory conditions affecting the neonate
• Explain the importance of gestational age to the interpretation of radiographs
• Identify the classical features of the more common conditions

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should:

• Have a good understanding of the appearances of the normal neonatal chest
• Be able to assess a radiograph for adequate inspiration and exposure

This session introduces the concepts of neonatal lung disease, variable patterns of lung change, and the importance of gestational age and age from birth in determining features seen.

We will look at some of the medical conditions which commonly cause neonatal respiratory distress, such as:

• Classic respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
• Transient respiratory distress of the newborn (wet lung) (Fig 1)
• Meconium aspiration syndrome
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Interstitial emphysema
• Pulmonary haemorrhage
• Pulmonary hypoplasia
• Unilateral pulmonary hypoplasia/agenesis

You will also have the opportunity to look at a number of case studies relating to neonatal respiratory distress.