Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)


Transient tachypnea of the newborn is delayed clearance of intrauterine pulmonary fluid. The thoracic squeeze of a normal vaginal delivery will clear 30% of the pulmonary fluid. Therefore, either C-section or a precipitous vaginal delivery may lead to TTN. The infant has normal respiration during the first hours of life but then gradually develops mild respiratory distress which begins around 4-6 hours and peaks at 24 hours with rapid recovery by 48-72 hours. Since the respiratory distress is mild, intubation is usually not required.

The chest radiograph will follow the clinical course with the abnormalities peaking during the first day of life then rapidly clearing. The CXR will demonstrate the findings of fluid overload with vascular congestion and small pleural effusions. The CXR is nearly always normal by 48-72 hours.

TTN on day one of life with mild vascular congestion and small pleural effusions

On day two of life the fluid overload has resolved and the CXR is normal