The Intubated Neonate

The placement of an endotracheal tube affects many of the defence and gas exchange functions of the lung.

The tube bypasses the following defence functions;

filtering of inhaled particles

Mechanical clearance by sneezing or coughing

Hence in the intubated neonate, the only systems left to defend the lung are the;

immune system

Mucociliary transport system

Both systems are immature and poorly developed. ^1,2

The placement of the endotracheal tube physically shifts the gas conditioning functions further down the airway. These areas would not normally be required to give up heat and moisture.

The Neonate at Risk

References

1. Fetal and Neonatal Physiology (1998) 2nd Ed(2) Polin & Fox
2. Bucher U and Reid L. (1961) Development of the mucus-secreting elements in human lung. Thorax 16;219