Prolonged endotracheal intubation in neonates with hyaline membrane disease.

It is well documented that prolonged endotracheal intubation can lead to subglottic trauma and stenosis. Newborn infants with hyaline membrane disease often require assisted ventilation for prolonged periods of time. We examined 11 such children ranging in age from four months to 4.25 years by endoscopy. Some abnormality was found in every child, and in nine there was minor narrowing of the airway.