Paviotti G, et al. – In this present study, the physicians compared thoracic fluid content (TFC) between newborn infants with and without respiratory distress. They concluded that TFC by electric bioimpedance independently associated with the presence of respiratory distress at birth and at 24 h of life in late preterm and term newborn infants.

Methods

• This study consisted of 96 newborn infants, gestational age 37.9 (2.6) weeks, at birth.
• Within 3 h after birth (TFC1) and at 24 h of life (TFC2), TFC by electrical bioimpedance was recorded.

Results

• Findings revealed that TFC1 was higher in infants with respiratory distress at birth (76.8 (24.9) versus 61.6 (16.1) 1 KOhm^–1, P<0.0005).
• The association was independent from gestational age and mode of delivery.
• At 24 h of life, TFC2 was independently associated with respiratory distress (adjusted coefficient b=0.5 (s.d. 0.02), P=0.02).