[Pneumopericardium in neonatal resuscitation]. / Il pneumopericardio in rianimazione neonatale.

Pneumopericardium is a serious complication that may appear during artificial ventilation in the treatment of newborns with hyaline membrane disease. Its frequency may be greater than is generally supposed, since not all cases are diagnosed in vivo. Data from the literature and an account of the symptom picture and treatment of this form are followed by the presentation of two cases successfully resolved by means of pericardiocentesis.

[Long term clinical and radiological follow-up of patients given respiratory assistance during the neonatal period]. / Controllo clinico-radiologico a distanza di pazienti sottoposti ad assistenza respiratoria in periodo neonatale.

135 babies admitted to the resuscitation department in the neonatal period and submitted to respiratory assistance were followed up clinically and radiologically at periods of from three months to two years. Alongside two cases of bronchopulmonary dysplasia diagnosed during admittance, 9 cases of minor respiratory sequelae were identified. Mechanical artificial ventilation and high concentrations of oxygen are suggested as decisive causes of bronchopulmonary changes. Both bronchopulmonary dysplasia and minor respiratory forms show a tendency to progressive clinical and radiological improvement with the passage of time.