Assisted ventilation in cystic fibrosis [letter].

My colleagues and I reviewed the diagnosis, management, and prognosis in 17 
cases of infants with cystic fibrosis and severe respiratory distress who 
were admitted to the Children's Hospital Medical Center, Boston, between 1968 
and 1972. There was a 60% mortality overall. Six of the 
17 infants were treated with assisted ventilation, of whom only one 
survived. Our subsequent experience with assisted ventilation has shown no improvement 
in the survival of these infants. 