Incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the course of the respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants

: The chest radiographs of 54 neonates with respiratory distress syndrome have been reviewed. 24% fell into stages I and II, 65% into stages III and IV and in 11% bronchopulmonary dysplasia developed. Infiltrations due to pneumonia or aspiration, persistent ductus arteriosus and pneumothorax can be differentiated radiologically. There was a strong correlation between the level of ventilatory pressure and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. After reducing ventilation pressure to below 15 cm of water with a frequency of 66 per minute, bronchopulmonary dysplasia dropped from 14.4% (35 cases) to 5.3% (19 cases).