Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn Following Planned Caesarean Births at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Tanzania; A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: To determine the burden of Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn in term neonates born by planned caesarean birth (CB) at ≥ 37 weeks gestational age (GA), their characteristics and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Prospective cross-sectional study of neonates born by planned CB at ≥ 37 weeks GA at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania from September 2023 to February 2024.

RESULTS

A total of 110 neonates (mean (SD) birth weight 3248 (±522) grams and median (IQR) GA 38 (38, 39) weeks) were enrolled in this study. Prevalence of TTN was 18/110 (16.4%). Of the neonates with TTN, 1/18 (5.6%) had persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). Neonates with TTN were more often males and born at 37-38 weeks of gestation. Oxygen was administered in 17/18 (94.4%), CPAP in 1/18 (5.6%). Monitoring and treatment of TTN cases took place at the labour ward in 8/18 (44.4%) and at neonatal care unit in 10/18 (55.6%) neonates.

CONCLUSION

TTN following planned CB is a notable cause of neonatal respiratory morbidity in this setting. Interventions for improving newborn outcomes following planned CB are recommended.