Imaging of the Chest in the Newborn and Young Infant

Throughout the world, chest imaging is the most commonly interpreted study in infants and young child. The chest radiograph is not particularly difficult to interpret, as most images fall into predictable patterns of disease, which are different than in the adult patient. This chapter suggests an approach to imaging the normal chest radiograph and provides a framework for learning about diseases in the neonate. Broadly speaking, it divides neonatal disease into medical disease, such as hyaline membrane disease or meconium aspiration; and lung lesions/surgical diseases, which are primarily lung masses or congenital anomalies (Fig. 1) [1, 2]. Although chest masses and congenital malformations are rare, imaging descriptions are presented to enhance understanding of the natural history, current treatments, and/or outcomes of those lesions.