Hypotension and bradycardia associated with airblock in the neonate. Preliminary report

The hospital courses of 19 infants were analyzed retrospectively to determine if there was a relationship between hypotension and extra-alveolar air: interstitial emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and penumothorax. Of the 16 infants who subsequently developed PT, 12 had hypotension with IE/PM from one to 86 hours prior to the onset of PT (median 6.5 hours). When compared to blood pressure values obtained before the development of IE/PM, the decrease was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). Four of the six infants of greater than or equal to 38 weeks' gestation had bradycardia throughout the duration of EAA. Hypotension and bradycardia appear to be associated with airblock and thus may alert the physician to those infants who are at greatest risk for developing PT.