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Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-1905-5467
Original Article

Utility of Postnatal Chest X-Ray in Newborns for the Evaluation of Prenatally Suspected Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation: A Single-Center Experience

Laura E. Jackson 
1   Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Toby D. Yanowitz
1   Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Paul Waltz
2   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Kalyani Vats
1   Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to assess the necessity of chest X-ray (CXR) during the newborn hospitalization for all patients with prenatally suspected congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM).

Study Design This is a retrospective chart review of all infants delivered with prenatally suspected CPAM at our high-risk delivery hospital from January 2013 through April 2020 (n = 44). Nonparametric tests assessed the association between postnatal CXR findings, prescribed follow-up timeline, and neonatal outcomes.

Results Mean follow-up period recommended was 6.4 weeks regardless of CXR findings in the neonatal period (p = 0.81). Additionally, patients who required respiratory support at or after birth were not more likely to have a lesion identified on chest X-ray (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18–2.64, p = 0.71).

Conclusion Neonatal hospital course and future follow-up plan of patients with prenatally suspected CPAM were not altered by information from the CXR obtained in the immediate neonatal period, suggesting that this CXR may not be necessary in the asymptomatic patient.

Key Points

  • Immediate postnatal X-ray of prenatally diagnosed CPAM does not alter planned follow-up interval.

  • Immediate postnatal X-ray does not alter surgical plan for CPAM.

  • Postnatal X-ray is not absolutely required for asymptomatic newborns with CPAM.

Keywords

congenital pulmonary airway malformation - pediatric surgery - prenatal diagnosis - neonatal intensive care unit - chest X-ray

Authors' Contributions

L.E.J. contributed to the conceptualization and realization, data collection and organization, statistical analyses, and writing of the manuscript. T.D.Y. contributed to the statistical analyses and critical review of the manuscript. K.V. contributed to the conceptualization and realization, and writing of the manuscript. P.W. contributed to critical review of the manuscript. All authors reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual contents and approved the final version. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.




Publication History

Received: 29 March 2022

Accepted: 05 July 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
20 July 2022

Article published online:
29 September 2022

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