Abstract

Thirty four infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity were reviewed and divided into two groups on the appearance of the chest radiograph. Type 1 disease (n = 19) was defined as homogeneous or patchy ill defined opacification in the lungs without coarse reticulation, and type 2 disease (n = 11) had the classical appearance of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Four patients could not be classified. We conclude that type 1 disease represents typical chronic lung disease of premature infants, and type 2 is usually complicated by pulmonary interstitial emphysema. As no infant with type 1 disease died, its histopathological basis is unknown.