Neonatal respiratory distress caused by primary ciliary dyskinesia
Two newborns, both boys, presented with unexplained respiratory distress. One developed recurrent pneumonias in the first neonatal week and was diagnosed with primary ciliary dyskinesia at the age of 2.5 years. The other had respiratory problems besides a situs inversus totalis and was diagnosed with primary ciliary dyskinesia in the neonatal period. Although 65-90% of children with primary ciliary dyskinesia present with neonatal respiratory distress, the disease is often diagnosed after a considerable delay. Primary ciliary dyskinesia should be considered in newborns with unexplained respiratory problems and in children with recurrent respiratory problems. The disease is diagnosed by taking a nasal brush biopsy of the cilia and examining it using electron microscopy or using phase contrast microscopy. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment may prevent further lung damage.