High frequency oscillatory ventilation in neonates with respiratory distress

High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) was attempted in ten infants with severe respiratory failure not responding to conventional ventilation (CV); it was, therefore, used as a rescue measure. HFOV was successful in improving the respiratory status of seven infants, all with hyaline membrane disease (HMD). Five of these infants survived, of the remaining two, one died of massive peri/intra-ventricular haemorrhage and the other of cholestasis associated with total parenteral nutrition. It was unsuccessful in three infants, one with meconium aspiration, the second died within two hours commencing HFOV and the third with severe depression and hypotonia.