POSTEXTUBATION ATELECTASIS IN VENTILATED NEWBORN-INFANTS

Post-extubation atelectasis (PEA) constitutes the commonest cause of l ung collapse in ventilated neonates. The clinical and radiological fea tures of 47 ventilated infants who developed PEA within 24 h of extuba tion are reported. Three main radiographic patterns of atelectasis wer e identified: (1) transient unilobar collapse resolving within 12 h of extubation (19 cases), (2) multilobar atelectasis developing over a 4 8-h period (18 cases), and (3) progressive atelectasis resulting in co mplete collapse of a whole lung. A similar number of ventilated infant s without PEA served as controls. We found a significant association b etween the incidence of PEA and multiple intubation (P < 0.02), presen ce of patent ductus arteriosus (P < 0.001) and neonatal sepsis (P < 0. 05). Prophylactic physiotherapy is recommended for ventilated infants, particularly those with the above risk factors.