What can indicate a pneumothorax in a newborn?

A pneumothorax in a newborn can be indicated by decreased breath sounds and increased transillumination. When a pneumothorax occurs, air enters the pleural space and can lead to lung collapse. This can result in diminished or absent breath sounds on the affected side due to reduced air movement in the lung. Additionally, transillumination can be performed to help identify fluid or air in the thoracic cavity; in the case of a pneumothorax, transillumination may show increased brightness due to the presence of air compared to surrounding tissue.

Increased heart rate may occur due to various physiological responses, such as stress or hypoxia, but it is not a specific indicator of a pneumothorax. Increased breath sounds typically suggest hyperinflation, such as in the case of conditions like asthma or infection, rather than the presence of a pneumothorax. Prolonged apnea can be a symptom related to respiratory distress or other conditions but isn’t definitively indicative of a pneumothorax on its own.

Thus, the combination of decreased breath sounds and increased transillumination specifically points towards the presence of air in the pleural space, which is characteristic of a pneumothorax.