Progressive central nervous system deterioration: a complication of advanced chronic lung disease of prematurity.

Fifteen premature infants with severe chronic lung disease of prematurity were treated with ventilatory assistance and continuous positive airway pressure for at least 28 days. Fourteen developed progressive central nervous system deterioration following right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Two patterns of deterioration were observed: (1) cerebral, with loss of developmental milestones, increasing a hypotonia, and eventual EEG deterioration and death; and (2) brainstem, with progressive apnea, bradycardia, or both, and sudden death or irreversible apnea.