Severe respiratory distress syndrome unresponsive to intensive care treatment--diagnostic and therapeutic considerations

Klin Padiatr. 2011 Sep;223(5):283-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1270485. Epub 2011 Feb 3.

Abstract

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a common complication in preterm neonates. If RDS is not responding to conventional treatment modalities (surfactant therapy, ventilatory support, etc.), an underlying pathology (pulmonary lymphangiectasia, capillary alveolar dysplasia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, etc.) other then prematurity should be taken into consideration.Here, we report on a preterm neonate with the unusual simultaneous occurrence of pulmonary and systemic lymphangiectasia and homozygous alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency who developed severe RDS that was refractory to conventional treatment. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach in this patient is presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiotocography
  • Comorbidity
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care, Neonatal*
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases / congenital*
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Lung Diseases / therapy
  • Lymphangiectasis / congenital*
  • Lymphangiectasis / diagnosis
  • Lymphangiectasis / pathology
  • Lymphangiectasis / therapy
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology
  • Male
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / etiology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / pathology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / therapy*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy
  • Treatment Failure
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / diagnosis*
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / pathology
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / therapy*

Supplementary concepts

  • Lymphangiectasia, pulmonary, congenital