Pneumothorax - infants

Definition

Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space inside the chest around the lungs. This leads to lung collapse.

This article discusses pneumothorax in infants.

Alternative Names

Pulmonary air leak; Pneumothorax - neonatal

Causes

A pneumothorax occurs when some of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in a baby's lung become overinflated and burst. This causes air to leak into the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural space).

The most common cause of pneumothorax is respiratory distress syndrome. This is a condition that occurs in babies who are born too early (premature).

  • The baby's lungs lack the slippery substance (surfactant) that helps them stay open (inflated). Therefore, the tiny air sacs are not able to expand as easily.
  • If the baby needs a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator), extra pressure on the baby's lungs, from the machine can sometimes burst the air sacs.

Meconium aspiration syndrome is another cause of pneumothorax in newborns.

  • Before or during birth, the baby may breathe in the first bowel movement, called meconium. This may obstruct the airways and cause breathing problems.

Other causes include pneumonia (infection of the lung) or underdeveloped lung tissue.

Less commonly, otherwise healthy infants can develop an air leak when they take the first few breaths after birth. This occurs because of the pressure needed to expand the lungs for the first time. There may be genetic factors which contribute to this problem.

Symptoms

Many infants with pneumothorax do not have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
  • Fast breathing
  • Flaring of the nostrils
  • Grunting with breathing
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Use of additional chest and abdominal muscles to aid breathing (retractions)

Exams and Tests

The health care provider may have difficulty hearing breath sounds when listening to the infant's lungs with a stethoscope. The heart or lung sounds may seem as if they are coming from a different part of the chest than is normal.

Tests for pneumothorax include:

  • Chest x-ray
  • Light probe placed against the baby's chest, also known as "transillumination" (pockets of air may show up as lighter areas)

Treatment

Babies without symptoms may not need treatment. The health care team will monitor your baby's breathing, heart rate, oxygen level, and skin color. Supplemental oxygen will be provided if needed.

If your baby is having symptoms, the provider will place a needle and/or a thin tube called a catheter into the baby's chest to remove the air that has leaked into the chest space.

Since treatment will also depend on the lung issues that led to the pneumothorax, it may last for days to weeks.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Some air leaks will go away within a few days without treatment. Infants who have the air removed with a needle or catheter often do well after treatment if there are no other lung problems.

Possible Complications

As air builds up in the chest, it can push the heart toward the other side of the chest. This puts pressure on both the lung that hasn't collapsed and the heart. This condition is called tension pneumothorax. It is a medical emergency because it can affect heart and lung function.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

A pneumothorax is often discovered shortly after birth. Contact your provider if your infant has symptoms of pneumothorax.

Prevention

The providers in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) should watch your infant carefully for signs of an air leak.

References

Crowley MA. Spectrum of neonatal respiratory disorders. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Diseases of the Fetus and Infant. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 67.

Winnie GB, Haider SK, Vemana AP, Lossef SV. Pneumothorax. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 439.

Review Date: 12/31/2023
Reviewed By: Mary J. Terrell, MD, IBCLC, Neonatologist, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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