Prolonged positive airway pressure for severe neonatal tracheobronchomalacia

A very low birthweight preterm baby with respiratory distress at birth was found to have severe congenital tracheobronchomalacia. Continuous positive airway pressure was given through an endotracheal tube without tracheostomy for 15 weeks before unassisted respiration could be maintained. Diagnosis was made and progress monitored by laryngobronchoscopy on three occasions.