About this topic
When too much fluid stays in your babys lungs after birth, it is called transient tachypnea of newborn. This is also known as TTN. Babies have fluid in their lungs while in the womb. This normally goes away when a baby is born. Some babies still have some of this fluid in their lungs after they are born. This causes them to breathe fast. It often happens in the first few hours after birth and is called TTN. ‚
A baby with TTN may need to have special care. Your baby should recover well with treatment. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Let your baby get lots of sleep.
- Learn how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before your baby goes home. This training will help you know what to do if your baby stops breathing.
- Keep your home smoke-free. Keep your baby away from secondhand and thirdhand smoking. Anyone in your home who smokes should quit smoking.
- Wash your hands before and after you touch or hold your baby. Tell family and friends to wash their hands. Do not let people visit if they are sick or have other illnesses. Avoid crowded and public places.
- Make sure you are comfortable with how to hold, feed, and care for your baby. Ask your doctor if you have questions.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help your baby breathe easily
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Always put your baby to sleep on the back. Talk to your doctor about a safe sleep position for your baby. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Your baby is born with this illness and prevention is not possible. You may be able to help future babies if you: ‚
- Have proper prenatal care during pregnancy
- Avoid using certain drugs during pregnancy
- Keep a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy. This includes eating a healthy diet, not smoking, not drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid getting infections or other illnesses
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher
- Very fast breathing or problems breathing
- Skin pulls in between the ribs or under the rib cage
- Very fast heart rate
- Stuffy nose
- Wheezing
- Nostrils become very large while breathing.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my child.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has trouble breathing, is wheezing, or the skin pulls in between the ribs or under the ribcage.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/lungs/ttn.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚