Necrotizing tracheobronchitis following mechanical ventilation of the newborn

Mechanical ventilation of newborn infants with respiratory distress is associated with diverse pathology of the lung. Recent reports have focused on a distinct lesion pattern of the tracheobronchial system--necrotizing tracheobronchitis. While many advanced cases of the disease proved fatal secondary to airway obstruction, others were successfully treated by removal of the occlusion. We describe two neonates with necrotizing tracheobronchitis, one of whom had a complete occlusion of the right main stem bronchus that was relieved by curettage during bronchoscopic examination.