¹Fellow in Neonatology, Department of Neonatology, King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Pune, Maharashtra, India
²Head of the Department (HOD), Department of Neonatology, King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Pune, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding author: Sourav Kundu, Department of Neonatology, King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) Pune, Maharashtra, India, Email:[email protected]

Received Date: September 19, 2026
Publication Date: November 06, 2026
Citation: Kundu S, Vaidya U. (2026). Successful Treatment of Persistent Pneumothorax in a Very Preterm Neonate Using Autologous Blood Patch Pleurodesis: A Case Report from Western India. Neonatal. 7(3):37.

Copyright: Kundu S and Vaidya U © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Background: Autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP) has been widely used in adults and pediatric population. Evidence are limited in it?s application in neonates specially in preterm neonates.

Case report: In our case, we report a successful and rare treatment with ABPP in a very preterm, low birth weight neonate with persistent pneumothorax lasting for 27 days.

Conclusion: ABPP is a safe, cost-effective, painless procedure for persistent pneumothorax. The results are satisfactory and it may be a feasible alternative to surgery when used in selected neonates in right time.

Keywords: Pneumothorax, Air Leak, ABPP, Neonates

ABBREVIATIONS

ABPP: Autologous Blood Patch Pleurodesis

APGAR: Appearance Pulse Grimace Activity and Respiration

CECT: Contrast-Enhanced Computerized Tomography

CXR: Chest X-Ray

FiO2: Fraction of Inspired Oxygen

HFOV: High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation

ICD: Intercostal Chest Drain

IFT: Infant Feeding Tube

KEMH: King Edward Memorial Hospital

NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PAL: Persistent Air Leak

PPN: Persistent Pneumothorax

PPROM: Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

RDS: Respiratory Distress Syndrome

SAS: Silverman-Anderson Score

SIMV: Synchronous Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation

SPO2: Peripheral Oxygen Saturation

INTRODUCTION

Pneumothorax is the most common cause of air leak. It occurs when the air trapped in the alveoli moves through the parietal pleura into the pleural space [1]. It is a well-known complication of lung disease in the neonate, with an incidence of 10% in extremely preterm infants, though much higher in the setting of preterm, premature, rupture of membranes (PPROM) with oligohydramnios. Majority of pneumothorax cases resolve spontaneously but symptomatic cases required Intercostal chest drain (ICD) for drainage of air [2]. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons defined persistent pneumothorax(PPN)/persistent air leak (PAL) that persists for more than five days [3].

There is no optimal treatment for persistent pneumothorax in neonates. The most accepted treatment is pleurodesis. Chemical agents like providone iodine and fibrin glue, have been used for pleurodesis in neonates [4,5]. Autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP) has been shown to be simple, highly successful and safe in adults but there is very limited data available on the use of ABPP in neonates and specially in very preterm neonates. There are only few cases reported till date and three cases were reported from India [6-9]. This case report strongly suggests the use of ABPP in persistent air leak in preterm neonates.