Patient's question:
The child has just been born for 20 days and is experiencing difficulty breathing. After the doctor's examination, it was diagnosed as neonatal atelectasis. What is neonatal atelectasis? How is neonatal atelectasis treated?Doctor's answer:
Newborn atelectasis is usually caused by a combination of multiple factors, such as paralysis of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm, loss of the cough reflex, and bronchial secretion obstruction. Atelectasis can occur on one or both sides of the lung, with acute onset and extremely difficult breathing. Older children may complain of chest pain and palpitations, and may also develop high fever, rapid pulse, and cyanosis. These symptoms typically occur in the later stages of surgery and mostly within 24 hours postoperatively.The following are significant chest signs:
① The affected side of the chest appears relatively flattened, with restricted respiratory movement.
② The trachea and apex beat are shifted toward the affected side.
③ Percussion reveals a mild dullness, but it may be covered by the elevated left diaphragm.
④ Breathing sounds are weak or absent.