What is transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN)?

Transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN) is caused by delayed clearance/reabsorption of lung fluid after birth.

It is commoner after caesarean section (no labour to help clear the fluid), causing tachypnoea and mild respiratory distress shortly after birth that resolves within ~1-2 days. Management is supportive (oxygen if needed); it is a benign, self-limiting condition.

Clinical relevance. Recognising TTN (early tachypnoea, commoner after caesarean, resolving in 1-2 days) reassures while excluding more serious causes.

More Detail

Transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN)

TTN is a common, benign, self-limiting cause of early respiratory distress.

Cause

• Delayed clearance/reabsorption of fetal lung fluid after birth (the lungs are normally cleared during labour and the first breaths).
• Commoner after caesarean section (especially without labour), as labour helps clear lung fluid.

Presentation

• Tachypnoea and mild respiratory distress (grunting, recessions) shortly after birth.
• Usually in term or near-term babies.
• Resolves within ~24-48 hours (1-2 days).

Management

• Supportive - oxygen if needed, monitoring, and feeding support.
• It is a diagnosis of exclusion - rule out more serious causes (e.g. infection) if not resolving.

Note

• Benign and self-limiting - reassuring once more serious causes are excluded.