Long-term follow-up of infants under intensive care with tracheotomy during the period 1956-1965

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Longitudinal Health Studies

Background:

• Neonatal intensive care (NIC) has evolved significantly since its pioneering era (1956-1965).
• Infants requiring prolonged tracheotomy during early infancy faced substantial respiratory challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term clinical, physiological, radiological, and psychiatric sequelae in survivors of early intensive care who underwent prolonged tracheotomy.
• To assess the resolution of respiratory symptoms and functional impairments in this cohort over 8-17 years.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 27 infants, selected based on tracheotomy duration (>15 days in the first year of life) during the NIC pioneering period, was followed up 8-17 years later.
• Assessment included clinical evaluation, physiological measurements, radiological imaging, and psychiatric assessment.

Main Results:

• A variety of clinical, physiological, radiological, and psychiatric sequelae were identified in the cohort.
• Respiratory symptoms were prominent during the post-tracheotomy period but showed a strong tendency to subside.
• At long-term follow-up, 74% of the children (20 out of 27) reported no functional impairment.

Conclusions:

• Infants surviving intensive care with prolonged tracheotomy in the early NIC era experienced initial sequelae, particularly respiratory issues.
• The majority of these children demonstrated significant recovery, with most achieving functional independence by late childhood or adolescence.