Merdeka.com – Transient tachypnea of the newborn, or TTN, is a breathing disorder that usually occurs soon after delivery in babies now born close or term. Transient means short-lived (usually less than 24 hours) and tachypnea means rapid breathing.
Now people with TTN need to be closely monitored in the hospital, and some may need extra oxygen for several days. Most children recover completely. TTN usually has no long-term effects on a child’s growth or development.
The following merdeka.com sums it up completely TTN symptoms along with the causes to watch out for:
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Know what TTN is?
The amniotic fluid contained in the amniotic sac is very important for the development of the baby. This fluid surrounds the unborn baby in the womb and acts as a cushion to protect the baby from injury.
It also maintains a stable temperature and is necessary for healthy bone and lung development. In the womb, the baby’s lungs are filled with fluid. This is normal and healthy.
During delivery, the baby’s body releases chemicals to help its lungs excrete fluid. The pressure of the birth canal on the baby’s chest also releases fluid from his lungs. After birth, the baby’s cough, as well as the air filling his lungs, will expel the remaining amniotic fluid.
However, sometimes the fluid doesn’t come out of the lungs as quickly and completely as it should. This excess fluid in the lungs can make it difficult for the baby’s lungs to function properly. This condition is known as transient infant tachypnea (TTN).
Symptoms of TTN
Symptoms of TTN include:
- Very fast breathing, shortness of breath more than 60 breaths per minute
- snoring when the baby exhales
- dilated nostrils or swinging head
- skin pulling between the ribs or under the ribs with each breath (known as a retraction)
- bluish skin around the mouth and nose (called cyanosis)
Causes of TTN
The exact cause of infant transient tachypnea (TTN) is not always known. This condition can be caused by the inability of a newborn’s lungs to excrete or absorb amniotic fluid during and after delivery.
Babies born by Caesarean section are more likely to develop this condition. A caesarean delivery does not allow fluid to escape from the baby’s lungs, which usually occurs in the birth canal during a normal birth.
Other factors that can contribute to TTN include:
- born to a diabetic mother
- fast normal delivery
- practice of delaying clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord
- Boys and those born with a higher birth weight are also more likely to develop this condition.
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How to manage the TTN
Get the baby to the hospital right away. Your baby will receive oxygen as needed to maintain adequate blood oxygen levels. Pulse oximetry and / or blood gas analysis may be used.
Your baby’s oxygen needs will usually be highest within hours of birth and then begin to decline. Most children with TTN improve within 12 to 24 hours.
If your baby is breathing very fast, feedings can be stopped and fluids given intravenously for nutrition until he gets better. Your baby may also be given antibiotics during this time until the infection clears up. In rarer cases, children with TTN may have persistent lung problems for up to a week.
Can TTN be prevented?
There is no way to permanently prevent infant transient tachypnea (TTN). However, you can increase your chances of having a healthy baby by:
- eat a healthy diet during pregnancy, which includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- see your doctor regularly for prenatal checkups
- stop smoking
- do not consume alcohol or drugs not prescribed by a doctor
(mdk / amd)
