Related Experiment Videos
Mechanical ventilation in children with severe asthma.
K Malmström1, M Kaila, K Korhonen
1Department of Pediatrics, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. kristiina.malmstrom@pp.fimnet.fi
Pediatric Pulmonology
|June 5, 2001
Summary
Mechanical ventilation for severe childhood asthma decreased significantly between 1976-1995, with fewer first-time and repeat intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. This decline occurred despite a rise in overall childhood asthma hospitalizations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood asthma hospital admissions have been rising over recent decades.
- Severe asthma exacerbations in children can necessitate mechanical ventilation.
- Understanding trends in pediatric asthma requiring intensive respiratory support is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the need for mechanical ventilation in children with severe asthma exacerbations in Finland.
- To analyze trends in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and readmissions for pediatric asthma requiring mechanical ventilation from 1976 to 1995.
- To examine factors associated with severe asthma exacerbations requiring mechanical ventilation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from all five university hospitals in Finland.
- Data collection on ICU admissions for acute asthma, focusing on those requiring mechanical ventilation.
- Analysis of patient demographics, prior asthma medication use, exacerbation etiology, length of stay, readmissions, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Mechanical ventilation was required in 66 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (59 patients), representing approximately 10% of all acute asthma ICU admissions.
- The number of ICU admissions requiring mechanical ventilation decreased from 41 (1976-1985) to 25 (1986-1995).
- Readmissions for mechanically ventilated patients dropped from 38 to 5 over the same periods. Respiratory infection was the most common cause (61%).
Conclusions:
- A significant decrease in first and repeat intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for childhood asthma requiring mechanical ventilation was observed between 1976 and 1995.
- This trend occurred despite a concurrent increase in overall hospital admissions for childhood asthma.
- Respiratory infections remain the primary trigger for severe asthma exacerbations necessitating mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients.