Face masks defended
Shuman, R.M.; Oliver, T.K.
Pediatrics 58(4): 621-623
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 787914 Document Number: 108006
Pediatricians caring for the newborn are particularly aware of unexpected deleterious outcomes of well-intentioned therapy. It has been suggested that intermittent positive-pressure ventilation provided by a tight-fitting face mask in low-birthweight infants is an example. A 30% incidence of significant intracerebellar hemorrhages in infants so treated was observed. Prolonged survival of markedly-premature infants has increased the incidence of this previously rare lesion in pediatric neuropathology. It is now recognized in at least 3 centers, 2 of which do not use mask ventilation. The mode of ventilation is not etiologically important but the duration of survival and degree of prematurity are.