The Wilson-Mikity Syndrome is a newly described respiratory ailment
of very premature infants. It is typified by its characteristic clinical
course, with onset after a period of well-being, and radiologic findings
of coarse infiltrates alternating with cystic changes. At least four cases
have occurred in the last two years at the University of California Medical
Center, San Francisco. An exemplary case is given. The pathophysiology
of the syndrome appears to relate primarily to abnormal ventilation
perfusion relationships resulting from uneven lung compliance. It is
suggested that the syndrome results from a distortion of the normal
development of the fetal lung.