Abstract
Pneumothorax is a well-known complication of lung disease in the neonate, with an incidence of 10% in extremely preterm infants, though much higher in the setting of preterm, premature, rupture of membranes (PPROM) with oligohydramnios. Additionally, Infants who experience an air leak requiring an intercostal chest drain have a higher rate of mortality than those who do not experience an air leak. It is rare to have a persistent air leak beyond 7 days, and there is a paucity of literature on treatment and prognosis, though it is generally accepted to be a complication associated with high mortality. This case presentation outlines a novel approach to achieving resolution of a persistent air leak in an extremely premature neonate with the use of an autologous blood patch.