Congenital chylothorax (CC) is one of the most common causes of pleural effusions in neonates. Associated ipsilateral pulmonary aplasia in CC results in neonatal respiratory distress. Here, we report 2 cases of CC who were managed in the Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Sri Lanka, between 2017 and 2019. Both babies were males who presented with respiratory distress within a few hours of birth. Their antenatal ultrasound scans failed to detect CC. Chest radiographs showed left-sided pleural effusions. Pleural fluid was milky yellowish suggestive of chylothorax, and the analysis revealed elevated triglycerides, high lymphocyte counts, and low cholesterol levels compatible with CC. They were managed in the neonatal intensive care unit and kept nil by mouth for initial 48 hours. Intravenous octeotride infusion was started on day one and was continued for 7 and 10 days, respectively. The maximum dose of octeotride was 2 μg/kg/hour. Both babies needed intercostal tube placement for 5 and 6 days, respectively. None of them required invasive ventilation. They were started on a medium-chain fatty acid formula, which was continued for about one week. Both babies were commenced on breast milk by day 7 of life and continued with exclusive breastfeeding. Within two weeks, they were discharged home and followed up in the paediatric respiratory clinic for another year. None of them was found to have long-term respiratory complications during the follow-up.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.