Pediatric Radiology

Neonatal Imaging of the Chest “Pediatric radiology has expanded rapidly since the late 1950s and is now a recognized medical specialty.” Page 577 of article. Obtaining successful images of a newborn can be quite a challenge. As stated in the article it takes 4 important aspect in taking a great image, “Technologist Attitude, Warmth, Immobilization, and Radiation Safety”. The newborns are not mind reader so they need to be comforted. The technologist attitude needs to have a smiling face and be upbeat. The newborns have to have warmth. The warm blankets give the newborns security of comfort and calmness. Immobilization is required in newborns because they cannot respond or understand verbal commands. It is highly important and critical

A chest x-ray is obtained at the age of 6hours to rule out if the infant has RDS. On the chest x-ray you will see a very prominent thymus with the lateral margin appearing to have a wave sign. Other classic signs of RDS is granularity of the lungs, low volume lungs or hypo aeration of the lungs resulting in a bell shaped thorax. Half of newborn deaths are due to RDS. Infants with RDS very often require artificial respiratory support via oxygen mask, continuous positive airway pressure “CPAP”, or intermittent positive pressure ventilation “IPPV”. Immature Lung Syndrome is most seen in premature newborns that weight less than 1500grams. You normally will notice this at around the age of 4-7days old. The immature lung lack sufficient pulmonary surfactant for proper ventilation to the alveoli. Immature lungs are often require to have several weeks of CPAP therapy. Pneumonia in newborns is often a result of exposure in utero or during birth. Obtaining a chest x-ray is often the first evidence of infection. The newborn can have jaundice skin, poor oxygen, perfusion in boy tissues and lethargy are all clinical indications. Early indications of pneumonia (1-5 days after birth) involves RDS or in some cases shock due to sepsis. There are 3 different types of pneumonia a new born can have Bacterial Pneumonia, Chlamydia Pneumonia, or Viral Pneumonia. Each different type should still be taking seriously; neither type outweighs