P25.1: Pneumothorax originating in the perinatal period

Air has collected between the smooth membranes of the child’s lungs.

You need lungs to breath. When you breathe in, the air with the oxygen passes through the airways to the lungs. The respiratory tract ends in the air sacs in the lungs. Oxygen passes into the blood in the pulmonary alveoli (air sacs). The pulmonary alveoli and the airways are surrounded by supportive tissue. This supportive tissue consists of connective tissue.

The lungs are surrounded by a smooth membrane. A smooth membrane like this is also located inside the ribs. Both membranes cling to each other via a small amount of fluid. Through the suction of the fluid between the membranes, the lungs follow the movements of the chest while breathing. The lungs then alternately expand and contract. Air for breathing flows into the lungs and out again during these movements. Air is usually only found inside the lungs.

If the child’s pulmonary alveoli tear, air can get between the lung membranes. Pulmonary alveoli can tear in the course of artificial respiration. Pulmonary alveoli can also tear the first time the baby breathes after being born. When air gets between the membranes of the lungs, the two membranes may no longer be able to suck on each other. The lungs are then no longer able to expand and contract normally. The lungs may then be unable to absorb so much air so that there is a fall in the blood's oxygen content. Breathlessness may then develop. There may also be some pain.