Yong LIU, Li LY, YuLian HU

A neonate with tracheobronchial cobblestone mucosa presenting with acute severe hypercapnia

Here, we describe the case of a neonate suffering from respiratory distresscomplicated by pulmonary hemorrhage shortly after birth. The neonateexperienced repeated dyspnea and acute severe hypercapnia (160-100 mmHg)that began on the 7th day after birth during invasive mechanical ventilation.Rescue high frequency oscillatory ventilation played a key role in maintaininggas exchange during these episodes. Subsequent bronchoscopy revealedtracheobronchial edematous mucosa with a cobblestone pattern, which webelieve is the first report of this condition in neonates. Protrusion of the diffuseedematous mucosa led to airway stenosis and respiratory distress. Lesions ofthe tracheal mucosa should therefore be considered as one potential cause ofneonatal respiratory distress.

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