[Diaphragmatic paralysis caused by a phrenic nerve lesion secondary to internal jugular vein cutdown]

We discuss the case of a premature baby weighing 1,200 g who developed right diaphragmatic paralysis when a venous cutdown was performed on his internal jugular vein. Acquired unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis has been associated with obstetric trauma of the cervical plexus and surgical procedures of the neck and thorax, when the phrenic nerve is injured. We suggest fluoroscopy as the best diagnostic method; early diaphragmatic plication reduces the morbimortality of these patients.