Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 14, 2025

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

3.6K

An 8-Month-Old Infant With Respiratory Failure After a Fall

Jessica Johnson1, Pallavi P Patwari2, Marylouise Wilkerson2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.

Chest
|November 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A pediatric fall resulted in altered mental status and respiratory distress, requiring mechanical ventilation. Persistent hypercapnia and poor tone suggested a potential neurological complication following the head injury.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Traumatic Brain Injury

Background:

  • A previously healthy infant experienced altered mental status after a fall.
  • Initial presentation included respiratory distress consistent with ARDS.

Observation:

  • The patient required intubation and mechanical ventilation, including Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA).
  • Following extubation, poor truncal tone and persistent hypercapnia were observed.
  • Multiple extubation attempts failed due to recurrent hypercapnia and bradypnea.

Findings:

  • Head CT scans were unchanged, but brain MRI was performed.
  • Despite ventilatory support, the patient exhibited significant respiratory compromise.
  • The case highlights challenges in managing post-traumatic respiratory and neurological deficits in infants.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of comprehensive neurological evaluation after head trauma in children.
  • Understanding the interplay between traumatic brain injury and respiratory control is crucial.
  • Further investigation may be needed to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology of persistent respiratory failure.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The Perinatal Asphyxiated Lamb Model: A Model for Newborn Resuscitation09:03

The Perinatal Asphyxiated Lamb Model: A Model for Newborn Resuscitation

Published on: August 15, 2018

11.0K
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

6.8K

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,...
400
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...
381
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:
428
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...
273
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...
233
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...
2.0K