Bronchomalacia in the Neonate

Abstract

Congenital bronchomalacia is a disease typically associated with infants between 1 and 12 months of age; cases in children less than 1 month of age are rare. Bronchomalacia is commonly associated with tracheomalacia and rarely warrants operative intervention. Three cases of bronchomalacia are presented, including two unusual cases of bronchomalacia associated with neuromuscular disorder, one complicated by hypotonia. These patients required ventilatory support in the form of continuous positive airway pressure to prevent lobar collapse. Following tracheobronchial and neuromuscular maturation, these infants were able to be weaned from respiratory assistance without further sequelae. Bronchomalacia is discussed, the literature reviewed, and the standard therapies presented. The results indicate a possible relationship between neuromuscular disorders and respiratory collapse.