Congenital chylothorax: A series of eight cases

Authors

  • Joana Jorge Antunes Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0444-9396
  • Madalena Borges Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central
  • Andreia Mascarenhas Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central
  • Sara Brito Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7439-0880
  • Célia Iglesias Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central
  • Eduardo Fernandes Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5064-7505
  • Eunice Vieira Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central
  • Filomena Pinto Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central
  • Leonor Ferreira Prenatal Diagnosis, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4429-6646
  • Teresa Tomé Neonatology Unit, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central
  • José Nona Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v32.i3.25442

Keywords:

chylothorax, congenital abnormality, hydrops fetalis, neonatal, octreotide, pleural effusion

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital chylothorax (CC) is the accumulation of lymph in the pleural space. The aim of this study was to review the cases of CC diagnosed in newborns admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit between January 2014 and December 2020.
Results: Eight cases of CC were identified, all with prenatal diagnosis. After postnatal confirmation of the diagnosis, supportive care and conservative therapy were initiated. Six cases underwent mechanical ventilation, two were treated with surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide, four required inotropic support, and one underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Five newborns were effectively treated with octreotide. One patient with hydrops fetalis died after birth.
Discussion: The prognosis of CC depends on the severity of the effusion and on associated abnormalities. Medical treatment is based on supportive and conservative treatment. Although the use of octreotide is not unanimous, it proved to be an effective and safe adjuvant therapy in these patients.

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Published

2023-11-16

How to Cite

1.
Jorge Antunes J, Borges M, Mascarenhas A, Brito S, Iglesias C, Fernandes E, Vieira E, Pinto F, Ferreira L, Tomé T, Nona J. Congenital chylothorax: A series of eight cases. REVNEC [Internet]. 2023Nov.16 [cited 2024Oct.14];32(3):217-23. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/25442

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Joana Jorge Antunes, Madalena Borges, Andreia Mascarenhas, Sara Brito, Célia Iglesias, Eduardo Fernandes, Eunice Vieira, Filomena Pinto, Leonor Ferreira, Teresa Tomé, José Nona

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