title: Indications and outcome of flexible bronchoscopy in neonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the indications, safety and outcome of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study was conducted in Level III neonatal unit (ICH, Chennai) and included 84 neonates with various respiratory problems admitted over a 3 y period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The indications included stridor (18%), persistent radiological abnormalities (44%), unexplained wheeze/respiratory distress (21%) and others (17%). The mean age and weight were 25 d and 2.82 kg respectively. Bronchoscopy detected various anomalies like upper airway anomalies (10.7%), lower airway malacia (21%), synchronous airway malacias (19%) and miscellaneous anatomical abnormalities (18%). Bronchoalveolar lavage was done in 62% with microbiological yield in 54% cases.FOB helped in the revision of diagnosis in 57%. Resolution of atelectasis was observed in 13.5% cases. Except for transient hypoxemia in 2 neonates, no other complication was encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flexible bronchoscopy is safe and useful both as diagnostic and therapeutic tool in neonates with respiratory problems.
authors: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Egmore, Chennai, India. vijsekar@hotmail.com
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Vijayasekaran
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kalpana
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Ramachandran
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Nedunchelian
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies