FLAT CHEST IN SURVIVORS OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

Pulmonary mechanics as well as chest wall width and depth were measure d in 52 1-year-old survivors of newborn lung disease. Of the 52 patien ts examined, 22 had developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Chest wall depth was significantly less in the patients who survived with de velopment of BPD compared with those who did not develop BPD. Pulmonar y resistance and chest wall width-to-depth ratio were significantly in creased in the patients with BPD. Because the chest wall of infants is highly compliant, we suggest that the flatter chest in patients with BPD could result from the abnormal pulmonary mechanics.