Tracheomalacia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

Wheezing in the infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia results from various pathophysiologic mechanisms, including upper or central airway obstruction. We report an infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia who presented with episodic wheezing associated with hypoxia and bradycardia without evidence of stridor. Bronchoscopy revealed the presence of tracheomalacia. Upper or central airway obstruction, if undiagnosed, may be life-threatening. We suggest that wheezing with hypoxia and bradycardia in neonates should alert the physician to the possibility of tracheomalacia, even in the absence of audible stridor. Infants presenting with these symptoms should undergo bronchoscopy to confirm the diagnosis.