A 3-week-old Preterm Infant Who Has Severe Lung Disease

Abstract

A 3-week-old preterm infant presents with severe lung disease. ### Prenatal History: ### Birth History: The infant was intubated in the delivery room, received one dose of surfactant, and was placed on conventional mechanical ventilation because of severe respiratory distress syndrome. Findings on chest radiography were consistent with respiratory distress syndrome (Fig. 1). The patient was treated with two additional doses of surfactant. Figure 1. Chest radiography demonstrates diminished lung expansion and diffuse bilateral reticulogranular opacities, larger on the right, compatible with severe respiratory distress syndrome. Note the endotracheal tube. Despite management with conventional ventilation the infant’s respiratory status continues to worsen. Surgical patent ductus arteriosus ligation …