Oxygen therapy and massive pulmonary haemorrhage in newborn infants

A significant rise in the frequency of neonatal pulmonary haemorrhage was observed in the year when intensive oxygen therapy by CPAP and IPPV ventilation was started. To clarify the role of oxygen therapy the neonatal deaths occurring in two periods of different oxygen treatment were analysed and compared in respect of all clinical features which may be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary haemorrhage. In conclusion it is suggested that the local effect of oxygen is probably an additional but significant pathogenetic factor in the condition.