[Sudden death caused by massive air embolism during respirator therapy in the newborn]

A premature male infant with hyaline membrane disease succumbed suddenly during continuous positive pressure respirator therapy. Autopsy revealed a very rare complication to be the cause of sudden death: air embolization to pulmonary veins, right ventricle and superior and inferior venae cavae as well as interstitial and subpleural emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. The important role of lymphatic vessels as a port of entry for air is stressed.