TRACHEOBRONCHOMALACIA IN PRETERM INFANTS WITH CHRONIC LUNG-DISEASE

Tracheobronchomalacia is a treatable cause of persisting ventilatory r equirements in the preterm neonate, and warrants a high index of suspi cion. Five preterm infants with persisting ventilatory requirements wi th evidence of tracheobronchomalacia are reported. Four were diagnosed by tracheobronchogram and one by flexible endoscopy. All were success fully managed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) via a trac heostomy. One infant died of unrelated causes. The oldest child in thi s series at the age of 2 years requires no further ventilatory support . Tracheobronchial anomalies should be considered in all preterm infan ts with persisting ventilatory requirements.