Aspiration of bile as a cause of respiratory distress in the newborn infant.

Early-onset respiratory distress and a radiographic appearance of an aspiration syndrome occurred in two neonates with gastroschisis who had evidence of inhalation of bile. Hypoxemic respiratory failure developed in both infants, contributing to death or prolonged respiratory morbidity. Bile aspiration syndrome should be considered whenever there is early-onset respiratory distress in a neonate with high intestinal obstruction.