• Occurs when some of the alveoli (sacs in the lungs responsible for breathing) break and let air out into the space around the lungs.
• It is more common in premature babies or term babies with underdeveloped lungs.
• If the leaked air collects in the space in between the lungs and chest wall it is called a pneumothorax.
  • We usually have to drain this air out with a chest tube.
• If the leaked air collects in the lung tissue itself it causes pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE).
  • We usually treat this with a ventilator called a high frequency oscillator (HFO)

Reference:

AbbVie Corporation (Ed.). (2015). Preemie Parent Handbook (4th ed.). Canada: AbbVie Corportation.