ABSTRACT
When a neonate develops upper airway obstruction, simple measures such as suction may be all that is required. If this fails, an oral airway or intubation may be needed. Once the neonate is stabilized, the cause of the obstruction should be investigated using the experience of other specialists and an array of highly technological investigative techniques. Occasionally, intubation is either not possible, or does not relieve the obstruction, demanding a rapid response from whoever is available to help. Rarely, and very worryingly, even an emergency tracheostomy may fail to relieve the obstruction due to low tracheobronchial pathology. Airway obstruction may also occur after extubation of the intubated neonate or develop in the first few days or weeks.
