Recurring and alternating lung collapses -An unusual presentation of neonatal subglottic stenosis

Subglottic stenosis is a recognised complication of prolonged ventilation in neonates.Some neonates develop subglottic stenosis even on shorter duration of ventilation. We are reportinga 12 day old neonate admitted for bronchopneumonia. The baby was ventilated for 5 days and extubated. During the post extubation period, respiratory distress persisted without stridor. Recurring and alternating lung collapses were observed on serial x rays in spite of good pulmonary care. This triggered us further to investigate for airway abmormality which led to the diagnosis of subglottic stenosis and tracheomalacia. An unusual presentation like this post extubation should be evaluatedf or subglottic stenosis