Neonatal Empyema Thoracis: a case report

Abstract

A term newborn was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit immediately after the birth, with respiratory distress due to congenital pneumonia. With progression of respiratory symptoms, empyema thoracis was diagnosed due to the right massive purulent pleural effusion in chest X ray. Treatment was fulfilled by ventilator support and pus drainage by means of two chest tubes and appropriate antibiotics. Although, empyema thoracis is seen commonly in children following pneumonia, it is a very rare condition in neonatal period and there are limited reported cases of neonatal empyema which have been treated completely without any complication.

Keywords

• newborn
• empyema thoracis
• pneumonia