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Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Impact of Mechanical Ventilation on Diaphragm Function and Patient Outcomes
Published on: November 3, 2023
Detecting Ventilator-Induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Children With Long-term
Sigmund J Kharasch1, Helene Dumas1,2, Jane O'Brien2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Pediatric patients on long-term mechanical ventilation (MV) may develop diaphragmatic dysfunction. Diaphragmatic ultrasound (US) was used to evaluate this condition in children requiring prolonged MV support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Pulmonology
- Medical imaging
Background:
- Long-term mechanical ventilation (MV) is defined as >6 hours/day for >3 weeks.
- Children with neuromuscular disease, central dysregulation, or lung dysfunction often require long-term MV.
- These medically complex children are at risk for ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD).
Abstract:
Long-term mechanical ventilation (MV) is defined as the use of MV for more than 6 hours per day for at least 3 weeks. Children requiring long-term MV include those with neuromuscular disease, central dysregulation, or lung dysfunction. Such children with medical complexity may be at risk for ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction. Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction has been described in adult patients requiring acute MV with ultrasound (US). At this time, diaphragmatic US has not been evaluated in the pediatric post-acute care setting or incorporated into weaning strategies. We present 24 cases of children requiring long-term MV who underwent diaphragmatic US examinations to evaluate for ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction.
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