Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a case report.

An unusual case of an extremely low birth weight and very preterm infant who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia is presented. She required artificial (assisted) ventilation via a manual ambubag using a maximum concentration of 60% O2. Despite previous reports implicating mechanical ventilators and elevated peak airway pressures greater than 35cm of water, our infant still developed the disease with O2 delivery from an ambubag. Outcome was favourable. At 16 1/2 months follow-up, she appeared neurologically normal, and despite her prolonged neonatal respiratory problem, had not been troubled by chest disease or hospital readmissions. The observed etiopathogenesis is worthy of consideration in the 'developing world'.