[Bronchoscopy and bronchography in newborn infants and infants]

In 20 years (1965 to 1984) 428 infants (604 investigations) in the first year of life were bronchoscoped in our hospital; 109 out of them were newborns (119 investigations). Bronchographies were performed in 94 infants including 2 newborns. In the last 10 years the number of investigations decreased. Most frequent indications of bronchoscopies were stridor, aspiration and atelectasis. The usefulness of bronchological investigations in patients with oesophago-tracheal fistula, tracheal stenosis following long time intubation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia is pointed out. The diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage can be recommended for newborns and infants too.