Transient tachypnea of the newborn or TTN is a respiratory disorder shortly seen after delivery in babies who are born near or at full term. Transient means it is short lived ( usually less than 24 hours).Tachypnea means rapid breathing.

What causes Transient Tachypnea of Newborn

As the baby grows in utero, the lungs make a special fluid. This fluid helps the lungs to grow. When the baby is born term, chemicals released  during labor tells the lungs  to stop releasing the chemicals. The baby’s lungs starts removing or reabsorbing it.

The first few breaths a baby takes after delivery fills the lungs with air and helps clear most of the remaining fluid. Left over fluid can cause rapid breathing in the newborn.

Who is at risk ?

Babies at risk of TTN include the following :

• Babies born before 38 weeks of pregnancy .
• Babies delivered by C – section especially if labor hasn’t started.
• Babies born to  diabetic mothers.
• Male babies

What are the symptoms of TTN ?

Newborns with this condition usually have breathing problems soon after birth, most often within the first couple of hours.

Other symptoms include :

• Bluish skin color
• Rapid breathing which  may occur with noises such as grunting.
• Continuous monitoring  of the baby’s oxygen levels, breathing and heart rate.

The diagnosis of TTN is usually made after  the baby is monitored  for 1 or 2 days . If the condition goes away, it is considered to be transient .

How is TTN treated ?

The baby will be given oxygen to keep the blood oxygen level stable. Pulse oximeter  and blood gas may be used. Your newborn’s oxygen requirement  will usually be highest within a few hours after birth and then begin to decrease. Most infants with this condition begin improve in 12 to 24 hours.

During this period of TTN, your baby’s feeding may be withheld and intravenous fluid may be given for nutrition. The baby may also receive antibiotics to rule out any infection. In rare cases babies with TTN have persistent long problems for as long as a week.