PEDIATRICS Vol. 86 No. 4 October 1990, pp. 561-563
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cheu, H. W.
Right arrow Articles by Null, D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Cheu, H. W.
Right arrow Articles by Null, D.

Open Lung Biopsy in the Critically III Newborn

Henry W. Cheu MC, USAF1, Kevin P. Lally MC, USAF1, Reese Clark MC, USAF1, Susan Harrell MC, USAF1, and Donald Null MD1

1 From the Sections of Pediatric Surgery and Neonatology, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

Experience with 17 open lung biopsies in critically ill premature neonates was reviewed. Despite their small size, prematurity, and near maximal ventilator requirements, the infants suffered no significant complications. In three cases, an infectious agent was identified. In one case end-stage lung fibrosis associated with persistent (>3 months), severe respiratory failure prompted termination of support. In the remainder of the cases, definitively ruling out infection allowed the confident trial of a course of steroids in an attempt to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Unlike older patients, the definitive diagnosis of no infection in the premature neonate is just as informative as the diagnosis of an infection. Used judiciously, open lung biopsy can be performed in the premature infant with acceptable morbidity and mortality.

Key Words: open lung biopsy • preterm neonate • Mycoplasma

Submitted on July 17, 1989
Accepted on October 16, 1989