Use of rhDNase in a 30-week premature baby with resistant atelectasis.

Atelectasis is defined as partial or complete collapse of one lung. This condition generally accompanies many lung or chest diseases, and becomes manifest with the symptoms of the underlying disease. Mucous plugs contain a lot of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) liquefies the extracellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in mucous plugs and transforms it from a viscous gel to a flowing liquid. Limited therapeutic options in newborns with resistant atelectasis created the need for a new treatment which would be safe and effective. In this article, a 30-week premature baby who was diagnosed as atelectasis and hospitalized 15th day after birth and treated with a non-invasive nebulized rhDNAse is presented, and discussion of rhDNase treatment in newborns is aimed.