Assessment of Thoracic Abnormalities in Premature Infants

Background: There is a large incidence of congenital thoracic abnormalities that manifest as deformities and or defects of anterior chest walls. Thoracic abnormalities in preterm infants may also be associated with malpositioning in the incubator in the presence of respiratory disease and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Immaturity of respiratory and musculoskeletal system need to compromise biomechanical function of thorax. Thus, the purpose of the study is to access the thoracic alteration and the factors associated with its abnormalities in the infants born prematurely.

Objective: Assess thoracic alteration in premature infants.

Methods: This was an observational study with infants in first year of age, born prematurely with birth weight < 2000g. Exclusion criteria were: major congenital malformations as defined by the centers for disease contol and prevention, grade III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage or preventricular leucomalacia. Physical examinations were performed independently to assess shoulder elevation and thoracic alterations.

Results: 34 infants born prematurely were included for the study according to the inclusion criteria from which 20 infants (58.8%) showed thoracic abnormalities and remaining 14 infants (41.1%) were without abnormalities.

Conclusion: The prevalence of thoracic abnormalities was high in infants born prematurely, and was associated with pulmonary disease, and may also have compromised the growth rate of these infants during the first year of life.