PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS AND POSTNATAL MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL LARYNGEAL ATRESIA IN A PRETERM INFANT

Laryngeal atresia is a rare congenital cause of high airway obstruction that can lead to death if not correctly recognized and treated at birth. Postnatal management is difficult and the prognosis is often poor. We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of laryngeal atresia in a fetus that was delivered preterm at 29 weeks of gestation. Tracheotomy was performed as an ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) to guarantee patent airway, and laryngotracheoplasty was performed at 22 months of corrected age. A favorable ventilatory and neurodevelopmental outcome was observed at 33 months of age. Copyrigh

Respiratory failure in "late preterm" infants: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of the respiratory failure in late preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis in years 2006-2007 in late preterm infants (GA 34(+0)-36(+6) weeks) with respiratory failure, admitted at a tertiary level NICU. RESULT: Data from 1011 late preterm infants, which accounted for 7% of all deliveries and 65% of preterm births were analyzed; 29% (292/1011) required intensive care and 13% (136/1011) presented respiratory failure (16% of all ventilated infants in the period). In late preterms with respiratory failure 23% (32/136) were treated with prenatal steroids 46% (62/136) with non -invasive ventilation (nasal continuous positive airways pressure = nCPAP) while 41% (56/136) were intubated and received exogenous surfactant. Mean days of ventilation were 5.3 +/- 6.5 (0.5-55); 3.7% (5/136) developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia defined as oxygen-dependency at 36 postconceptional age and mortality was 1.5% (2/136). CONCLUSION: Respiratory failure incidence and characteristics in late preterms suggest their peculiarity and relevance in neonatal intensive care