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Indications and Outcome of Flexible Bronchoscopy in Neonates

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Abstract

Objective

To analyse the indications, safety and outcome of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in neonates.

Methods

This descriptive study was conducted in Level III neonatal unit (ICH, Chennai) and included 84 neonates with various respiratory problems admitted over a 3 y period.

Results

The indications included stridor (18%), persistent radiological abnormalities (44%), unexplained wheeze/respiratory distress (21%) and others (17%). The mean age and weight were 25 d and 2.82 kg respectively. Bronchoscopy detected various anomalies like upper airway anomalies (10.7%), lower airway malacia (21%), synchronous airway malacias (19%) and miscellaneous anatomical abnormalities (18%). Bronchoalveolar lavage was done in 62% with microbiological yield in 54% cases.FOB helped in the revision of diagnosis in 57%. Resolution of atelectasis was observed in 13.5% cases. Except for transient hypoxemia in 2 neonates, no other complication was encountered.

Conclusions

Flexible bronchoscopy is safe and useful both as diagnostic and therapeutic tool in neonates with respiratory problems.

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Contributions

VD: Conceptualized the study and contributed to writing the manuscript; KS: Data collection and analysis, outcome assessment, literature review and writing the manuscript; RP and NK: Critical review of the manuscript.

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None.

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None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Egmore, Chennai, India

    D. Vijayasekaran, S. Kalpana, P. Ramachandran & K. Nedunchelian

  2. No. 4, Third Street, Dr. Subarayan Nagar, Kodambakkam, Chennai, 24, India

    D. Vijayasekaran

Authors
  1. D. Vijayasekaran
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  2. S. Kalpana
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  3. P. Ramachandran
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  4. K. Nedunchelian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Vijayasekaran.

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Vijayasekaran, D., Kalpana, S., Ramachandran, P. et al. Indications and Outcome of Flexible Bronchoscopy in Neonates. Indian J Pediatr 79, 1181–1184 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-011-0595-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-011-0595-6

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