PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM ASSOCIATED WITH ASTHMA AND PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Sixteen instances of pneumomediastinum in children associated with bronchial asthma or bronchopneumonia were analyzed. The asthma group, comprising 9 of the total of 12 patients, was characterized by a history of asthma starting around 2 years of age and an average duration of asthma, before pneumomediastinum occurred, of 7½ years. The mean age of these patients at the time of pneumomediastinum was 9½ years. The patients with pneumonia only were generally younger.