Tracheobronchomalacia in preterm infants with chronic lung disease
- Dr Iolo Doull, Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Department of Child Health, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF4 4XW.
- Accepted 14 January 1977
Abstract
Tracheobronchomalacia is a treatable cause of persisting ventilatory requirements in the preterm neonate, and warrants a high index of suspicion. Five preterm infants with persisting ventilatory requirements with evidence of tracheobronchomalacia are reported. Four were diagnosed by tracheobronchogram and one by flexible endoscopy. All were successfully managed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) via a tracheostomy. One infant died of unrelated causes. The oldest child in this series at the age of 2 years requires no further ventilatory support. Tracheobronchial anomalies should be considered in all preterm infants with persisting ventilatory requirements.
