Cardiac tamponade in a preterm neonate secondary to a chest tube.

In a preterm infant, chest tubes were inserted for treatment of bilateral pneumothoraces. Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade developed, probably resulting from traumatic injury by the left chest tube. The infant survived due to timely diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. No recurrence of pericardial effusion was seen and follow-up showed normal psychomotor development.