PULMONARY MECHANICS, CHEST X‐RAY AND LUNG DISEASE AFTER MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

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Abstract
Pulmonary mechanics, chest X-ray and the incidence of clinical lung disease were studied in 41 low birth weight infants treated with intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) in the neonatal period. Shortly after IPPV most patients, irrespective of X-ray findings, had signs of lung damage reflected in low dynamic compliance or high pulmonary resistance. Both parameters had a strong tendency towards normalization during the 1st yr of life. Overdistention on chest X-ray was common at 6-12 mo. of age. Pneumonia and bronchitis were common during the first 2 yr of life but subsided later on. Development of BPD [bronchopulmonary dysplasia] or later respiratory disease were not correlated to treatment with high inspired O2 concentrations, but were most common in patients with hyaline membrane disease. Combined findings of pulmonary mechanics and chest X-ray shortly after IPPV were correlated to later clinical lung disease.