Is it necessary to use antibiotics in infants followed up for transient tachypnea of the newborn?

INTRODUCTION: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a common cause of respiratory distress in neonates. Despite its benign prognosis, initiating empiric antibiotics is one of the main treatment options besides respiratory support. This study aims to evaluate the use of empiric antibiotics for the treatment of TTN.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 574 neonates with TTN followed up between January 2015 and 2021. Only 17 neonates (3%) received antibiotics, and they constituted group 1. Group 2 consisted of the remaining 557 (97%) infants who did not receive antibiotics. Demographic and clinical data of the neonates were collected and compared statistically.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for tracheal intubation and NICU stay. In group 1, 8 (47%) infants and in group 2, 17 (3.1%) were intubated (p<0.001). The mean NICU stay was 7 (5.5–10.5) days in group 1 and 1 (0.8–2.5) day in group 2 (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Initiating antibiotic treatment for every neonate diagnosed with TTN is not necessary. Close follow-up of the infant and evidence-based antibiotic use can decrease the adverse effects of antibiotic treatment and the economic burden of this so-called benign disease.