Birth Terminology Explained: Transient Tachypnea (TTN)

So many terms thrown around when you enter the world of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, and early parenthood. In our "Terminology Explained" series, we help you break it down, bit by jargony bit. 

The term for today is the medical condition transient tachypnea (TTN). This condition recently appeared in media reports about singer Meghan Trainor's childbirth experience. 

What is Transient Tachypnea (TTN)? 

Official definition: Transient tachypnea, "TTN," is a lung disorder that causes rapid or labored breathing in some babies shortly after birth. The condition is short-lived, lasting usually less than 48 hours, and most all babies make a full recovery and do not experience any long-term effects. 

TTN is caused by too much fluid in the lungs at the time of birth. Fluid in a baby's lungs is normal prior to birth. Normally, this fluid is expelled (pushed out) with the natural squeeze that happens during vaginal birth, and then continues to be pushed out as baby breathes and adjusts to life outside the womb. Babies with TTN have too much fluid and/or the fluid is expelled too slowly. 

TTN is more commonly seen in babies born before 38 weeks, babies born by c-section, babies born to a parent who has asthma or gestational diabetes, twin babies, and male babies. 

When you will hear/see the term used? If your baby is suspected to have TTN, your doctors/midwife will likely notice in the first few hours after birth. TTN is diagnosed initially through visual examination, but can be further confirmed through a chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, and blood test. If your baby has TTN, they will likely need to be monitored closely and treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). You baby may need additional oxygen and IV fluids to maintain normal blood sugar levels. If feeding is a challenge, your baby may need to be initially fed through a feeding tube via nose or mouth. 

Why is it important/beneficial to know this term? It's impossible and impractical to know all of the possible post-birth complications. Doing so would only cause needless anxiety and little to no benefit. That said, being familiar with complications, like TTN, can actually help ease anxiety if it ends up happening to you and your baby. With something like TTN, for example, you would know that your baby just needs some help clearing fluid out of their lungs and that the complication is very easily treated. Knowing about things like TTN could also impact your decision against scheduling an elective (not-for-medical reasons) c-section, which carries several risks, of which TNN is just one. If you have asthma or gestational diabetes, learning about TNN in advance can help prepare you for circumstances that could arise for you and your baby after birth. Learn more details about transient tachypnea at KidsHealth and NCBI.