[Treatment of severe forms of idiopathic respiratory distress in newborn infants using constant negative perithoracic pressure]

49 children with a severe idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome were treated by continuous negative pressure ranging from 5 cm of water to a negative pressure of 13 cm of water around the thorax. The partial pressure of oxygen rose significantly in the majority of cases, and the alveolo-arterial gradient also significantly diminished by more than 100 mm of mercury. 29 children were treated by this method alone, but in 20 other children owing to the failure of constant negative pressure, respiratory assistance either by intermittent pressure ventilation or intermittent positive pressure ventilation was associated. On the whole 35 out of 49 children survived. The complications which were met with are analyzed. Continuous negative pressure seems to be a safe and effective method for improving oxygenation in the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome.