Infantile lobar hyperinflation: expectant treatment.

Arterial blood gases and regional lung function, measured with a 133xenon technique, were used to evalute the physiological defects and follow the natural history of 16 infants with lobar hyperinflation ("emphysema"). Hypoxemia was due to V/Q inequality at rest. Worsening of hypoxemia (mean Pao2 delta--26 mm Hg) with crying was due to shunting as a consequence of cessation of ventilation in the involved lobe. Surgery was necessary in three patients. Two deaths were caused by bronchopulmonary dysplasia after respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In 12 of 14 infants, lung function was normal between the ages of 5 days and 1 year. Pediatrics, 59:1012-1018, 1977, LOBAR EMPHYSEMA, BLOOD GASES, REGIONAL LUNG FUNCTION.