Neonatal pneumothorax management with Foley catheter in the low-resource settings: a case report

Neonatal pneumothorax is a serious condition that occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space, posing a potential threat to life. Neonatal pneumothorax is particularly prevalent among newborns, especially within the first three days of life. One of the management strategies for neonatal pneumothorax is chest tube drainage. In low-resource settings, the use of a Foley catheter has emerged as an alternative to chest tube drainage. This case report describes the successful management of neonatal pneumothorax in a resource-limited settings using a Foley catheter as an alternative to conventional chest tube drainage. A full-term neonate presented with respiratory distress immediately after birth and was diagnosed with right-sided pneumothorax via clinical examination and chest X-ray. Management involved the insertion of a Foley catheter connected to an underwater seal, resulting in rapid improvement of respiratory symptoms. By the second day, significant radiologic and clinical improvements were noted, and the catheter was removed within 47 hours. The patient was discharged on the sixth day in stable condition with full resolution of pneumothorax.