Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema as a Cause of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in the Newborn

Abstract

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare entity that can become life threatening. Its development in neonates is very rare, and its presentation as alveolar hemorrhage is uncommon. We report a case of a newborn 23 days old, previously healthy, who presented an episode of choking during breastfeeding. This progressed to acute respiratory failure due to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. A few hours after admission, the newborn developed refractory hypoxemia, requiring high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and nitric oxide therapy for 24 hours. NPPE was postulated as a diagnosis of exclusion. The newborn recovered completely. NPPE should always be considered in a case with recent obstruction of the upper airway, even in unusual age groups. Sometimes it can manifest as alveolar hemorrhage.