Influence of head and neck position on endotracheal tube tip position on chest x-ray examination: a potential problem in the infant undergoing intubation.

Complications related to endotracheal tubes are frequent in small children and infants. We report a case of a burned 12-month-old child in whom frequent manipulation of the endotracheal tube was required because of recurrent atelectasis and changing position of the endotracheal tube on chest x-ray film. It was then determined that because of variations in head and neck position while chest x-ray films were obtained, the endotracheal tip changed position in the trachea greater than 2.7 cm (greater than 1 inch), although endotracheal tube position was maintained at the level of the teeth. Airway care and gas exchange were subsequently improved by ensuring that patient care and chest x-ray films were performed with the head and neck in similar (neck slightly flexed, head neutral) position.