Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Acute Respiratory Failure-I01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-I

Acute respiratory failure is a condition characterized by the inability of the lungs to perform their primary function: gas exchange. This failure leads to insufficient oxygen levels (hypoxemia) in the blood, elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), or both, causing critical impairment in organ function.
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III01:30

Acute Respiratory Failure-III

Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effect of prone positioning and PEEP on respiratory mechanics in children undergoing scoliosis surgery.

Journal of anesthesia, analgesia and critical care·2025
Same author

The authors reply.

Pediatric critical care medicine : a journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies·2024
Same author

A Comparison of Proximal and Tracheal Airway Pressures During Pressure Controlled Ventilation.

Respiratory care·2023
Same author

Rewarming Young Children After Drowning-Associated Hypothermia and Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Analysis Using the CAse REport Guideline.

Pediatric critical care medicine : a journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies·2023
Same author

Testing of pandemic ventilators under early and agile development.

Frontiers in medical technology·2022
Same author

Acute bronchiolitis in Switzerland - Current management and comparison over the last two decades.

Pediatric pulmonology·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
06:22

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Published on: April 7, 2021

Acute respiratory failure in children.

Jürg Hammer1

  • 1Division of Intensive Care and Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Spitalstrasse 33, 4031 Basel, Switzerland. juerg.hammer@unibas.ch

Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|April 23, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Pediatric acute respiratory failure is common. Understanding infant physiology and mastering physical exams are crucial for early recognition and life-saving management of respiratory emergencies in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Acute respiratory failure represents a significant medical emergency in pediatric populations.
  • Infants and children possess unique physiological characteristics that predispose them to respiratory tract pathologies.
  • Early identification of deteriorating respiratory status is paramount for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the physiological factors contributing to heightened respiratory vulnerability in pediatric patients.
  • To emphasize the critical role of thorough history taking and physical examination in diagnosing respiratory failure.
  • To underscore the importance of prompt and accurate clinical assessment for proactive management.

Main Methods:

More Related Videos

A Model of Self-limited Acute Lung Injury by Unilateral Intra-bronchial Acid Instillation
07:40

A Model of Self-limited Acute Lung Injury by Unilateral Intra-bronchial Acid Instillation

Published on: August 30, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
06:22

Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Published on: April 7, 2021

A Model of Self-limited Acute Lung Injury by Unilateral Intra-bronchial Acid Instillation
07:40

A Model of Self-limited Acute Lung Injury by Unilateral Intra-bronchial Acid Instillation

Published on: August 30, 2019

  • Review of existing literature on pediatric respiratory physiology and pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of clinical guidelines and case studies related to acute respiratory failure in children.
  • Emphasis on the diagnostic value of patient history and physical examination findings.

    • Main Results:

    • Specific physiological differences in pediatric respiratory systems increase susceptibility to illness.
    • Detailed patient history and a comprehensive physical exam are highly effective in identifying the source of respiratory distress.
    • Clinical assessment alone can guide critical decisions for managing severe respiratory compromise.

    Conclusions:

    • Recognizing unique pediatric respiratory physiology is key to understanding their vulnerability.
    • Mastery of history taking and physical examination skills is essential for the early detection and management of pediatric acute respiratory failure.
    • Accurate clinical evaluation enables timely, life-saving interventions in critically ill children.