[Interstitial pulmonary emphysema in mechanically ventilated newborn infants. Study of the course of the disease].

106 (15.7%) of 675 artificially ventilated newborn developed interstitial pulmonary emphysema (PIE). Basic lung diseases were: IRDS, neonatal pneumonia, shock lung, meconium aspiration, hypoplasia of the lungs and other miscellaneous disorders of the chest. PIE developed in 68% of patients within 8 hours following artificial respiration. At the beginning of PIE both lungs were concerned in 41.5% of patients, one lobe of both lungs was affected in 32.1%. PIE was located in one lung in 8.5% and in only one lobe in 17.9%. Maximum of PIE was seen within 5 days after initiating respiration in 76.7% of the patients. Persistent PIE developed in 28.7% of the patients. Persistent PIE of both lungs was seen in 11 cases, PIE of one lung in 8 cases and persistent lobar emphysema in another 8. Pulmonary pseudocysts developed in 22 (20.8%) of the patients.