Classification of acute respiratory disorders of all newborns in a tertiary care center.

Abstract

More than 50% of newborns with acute respiratory symptoms do not fit textbook definitions, even broad definitions which include borderline cases. The concept of TTN should be expanded to include cases with a normal chest film. In addition, we suggest adding the category "transient respiratory insufficiency of the newbom" (TRIN) for babies ventilated briefly but not demonstrably surfactant deficient or infected. This category probably includes infants with many contributing etiologies.