Related Experiment Videos

Changes of the physiological parameters of very low-birthweight infants with chronic lung disease treated with

Toshio Takeuchi1, Daisuke Tanaka, Noriko Saikawa

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Showa University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan. ttake@med.showa-u.ac.jp

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|March 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Dexamethasone treatment improved respiratory status in infants with chronic lung disease (CLD). The medication increased blood pressure and urine output, suggesting a diuretic effect contributes to improved breathing in CLD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Dexamethasone is a common treatment for chronic lung disease (CLD) in infants.
  • The precise mechanism by which dexamethasone improves CLD outcomes remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological effects of dexamethasone treatment in infants with CLD.
  • To explore the relationship between dexamethasone's effects and respiratory status improvement.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 12 infants with CLD receiving dexamethasone.
  • Monitored respiratory status (ventilatory index), bodyweight, blood pressure, and fluid/nutrient intake.
  • Assessed urine volume changes during treatment.

Main Results:

  • Dexamethasone treatment led to significant increases in blood pressure and urine volume.
  • A notable improvement in the ventilatory index (VI) was observed post-treatment.
  • Poor weight gain occurred during dexamethasone therapy, while fluid and nutrient intake remained unchanged.
  • Increased urine volume correlated significantly with VI improvement.

Conclusions:

  • Dexamethasone may improve respiratory status in CLD infants partly through increased blood pressure and a subsequent diuretic effect.
  • These findings suggest a potential mechanism involving fluid balance modulation in dexamethasone therapy for CLD.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
Physiological Control of Respiration01:23

Physiological Control of Respiration

Introduction
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...