Related Experiment Videos
Long term effects of artificial ventilation in neonates
Insights
Prolonged mechanical ventilation in newborns may lead to long-term respiratory issues. School-aged children with extended neonatal ventilation showed increased bronchial hyperreactivity and airway obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Artificial ventilation is crucial for neonates but may have long-term consequences.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a known complication of neonatal respiratory support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term respiratory effects of prolonged mechanical ventilation in children.
- To assess the prevalence of airway obstruction and bronchial hyperreactivity at school age.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 27 children with >5 days of neonatal ventilation was reassessed at school age.
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and bronchial provocation tests with histamine were performed.
- Correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between ventilation duration, birth weight, gestational age, and respiratory outcomes.
Main Results:
- 5 children had a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- 7 children experienced >10 upper respiratory tract infections annually; 9 had recurrent obstructive airway disease.
- 19% of tested children (n=23) showed airway obstruction, and 43% exhibited bronchial hyperreactivity.
- Bronchial hyperreactivity significantly correlated with the duration of neonatal ventilation (p<0.05).
- Hyperreactivity severity also correlated with lower birth weight and gestational age (p<0.005 and p<0.02, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Prolonged neonatal mechanical ventilation is associated with long-term bronchial hyperreactivity.
- Premature and low birth weight infants are particularly susceptible to these adverse respiratory outcomes.
- These findings highlight the need for careful monitoring of respiratory health in children with a history of extended neonatal ventilation.
Abstract:
In order to evaluate long term effects of artificial ventilation, 27 children, who had been ventilated for more than five days in their neonatal period, were reinvestigated at school age. In 5 of them bronchopulmonary dysplasia had been diagnosed. Seven had more than 10 upper respiratory tract infections per year and 9 had recurrent obstructive airway disease. On pulmonary function testing (n = 23) 19% showed some airway obstruction, and in 43% bronchial hyperreactivity was found by bronchial provocation with histamine. There was a significant correlation (p less than 0.05) between bronchial hyperreactivity and the duration of neonatal ventilation. The degree of hyperreactivity (PC20, FEV1) also correlated with birth weight (p less than 0.005) and gestational age (p less than 0.02). It is concluded that prolonged neonatal ventilation might be followed by bronchial hyperreactivity, especially in the small and premature newborn.