Syndrome of persistent pulmonary vascular obstruction of the newborn: roentgen findings

Four infants whose clinical course conformed to the syndrome 'persistent pulmonary vascular obstruction in the newborn' are reported. Each presented with cyanosis beginning immediately following birth and absence of congenital heart disease was shown by cardiac catheterization, followup examinations or autopsy. The radiologic features are decreased pulmonary vasculature with moderate enlargement of the cardiothymic silhouette. The lungs are normal in volume or only mildly overdistended and show no radiologically apparent parenchymal disease. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cardiovascular abnormalities which cause cyanosis in the newborn infant.