[Iatrogenic hydrothorax in a premature infant and its treatment]

Iatrogenic hydrothorax in a premature infant of 36 weeks' gestation was caused by misplacement of a central venous catheter leading to massive pleural effusion in the left hemithorax. Subsequently respiratory insufficiency developed which could be treated successfully within 24 h by complete removal of the i.v. fluid via the misplaced catheter and simultaneous mechanical ventilation.