LDH may help predict hospitalization in neonates with Transient tachypnea of newborn

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTNB) is a common neonatal cause of respiratory distress which occurs due to delayed reabsorption of the pulmonary alveolar fluid seen in term neonates. Although TTNB is a self-limiting condition requiring supportive management, there have been reported complications requiring intensive care. Prediction of these complications is difficult , for this purpose researchers conducted a study to correlate LDH levels with complications and duration of hospitalisation in TTNB neonates.

It is a well known fact that lactate and LDH are good predictors of asphyxia. When cells are damaged, LDH is released out of cells into the bloodstream which elevates its level in plasma. In the literature, association between LDH and oxygen requirement, other neonatal comorbities have been reported, but this is the first ever study, to explore association of raised LDH with course of TTNB.

In this cross-sectional reterospective study a total of 120 neonates referred to tertiary care center with TTNB were included after excluding cases with neonatal sepsis,pneumonia, MAS, asphyxia and cardiopulmonary abnormalities.