Acute Respiratory Failure (acute + respiratory_failure)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Early onset pneumonia in patients with cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning

RESPIROLOGY, Issue 6 2010
Chen-Yu WANG
ABSTRACT Background and objective: Organophosphates and carbamates are potent cholinesterase inhibitors that are widely used as insecticides in agriculture. Pneumonia is a frequent complication of cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning (CIP) and a risk factor for death. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the risk factors for pneumonia in patients with CIP. Methods: The medical records of 155 patients, who were treated for CIP in a 1300-bed medical centre in central Taiwan, from January 2002 to December 2004, were retrospectively analysed. Pneumonia was diagnosed by a new or persistent infiltrate on CXR, as well as clinical symptoms. Demographic data, comorbidities, acute respiratory failure and in-hospital mortality were also recorded. Results: Of the 155 patients, 31 (20%) died and 92 (59.4%) developed acute respiratory failure. Thirty-four patients (21.9%) were diagnosed with early onset pneumonia during hospitalization. Acute respiratory failure (OR 12.10, 95% CI: 2.55,57.45), underlying cardiovascular disease (OR 3.02, 95% CI: 1.02,8.91), undergoing gastric lavage at peripheral hospitals (OR 6.23, 95% CI: 1.52,25.98) and development of respiratory failure at the study centre after gastric lavage (OR 3.43, 95% CI: 1.17,10.0) were predictive factors for early onset pneumonia. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR 23.58, 95% CI: 6.03,92.29), early onset pneumonia (OR 7.45, 95% CI: 2.02,27.5) and lower Glasgow coma score (OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08,1.48) were predictive factors for mortality. Conclusions: Pneumonia was a significant risk factor for death in patients with CIP. In addition to aggressive management of patients with CIP who develop respiratory failure, careful respiratory evaluation before and after gastric lavage would help to decrease the incidence of early onset pneumonia in patients with CIP. [source]


Deprivation, ethnicity and prematurity in infant respiratory failure in PICU in the UK

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2010
DR O'Donnell
Abstract Aim:, To describe the epidemiology of infants admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care (PIC) with acute respiratory failure including bronchiolitis. Methods:, Data from all consecutive admissions from 2004 to 2007 in all 29 designated Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) in England and Wales were collected. Admission rates, risk-adjusted mortality, length of stay, ventilation status, preterm birth, deprivation and ethnicity were studied. Results:, A total of 4641 infants under 1 year of age had an unplanned admission to PIC with acute respiratory failure (ARF), an admission rate of 1.80 per 1000 infants per year. There was a reduced rate of admission with bronchiolitis in South Asian children admitted to PICU, which is not explained by case-mix. Children born preterm had a higher rate of admission and longer stay, but a similar low mortality. Risk-adjusted mortality was higher in South Asian infants and the highest in those with ARF (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.20,2.57) compared with the rest of the PICU population. Conclusion:, Acute respiratory failure in infants causes most of the seasonal variation in unplanned admission to intensive care. Socioeconomic deprivation and prematurity are additional risk factors for admission. Fewer South Asian infants are admitted to PICU with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, but risk-adjusted mortality is higher in South Asian infants overall. [source]


Rhabdomyolysis and brain ischemic stroke in a heroin-dependent male under methadone maintenance therapy

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2009
W.-Y. Hsu
Objective:, There are several complications associated with heroin abuse, some of which are life-threatening. Methadone may aggravate this problem. Method:, A clinical case description. Results:, A 33-year-old man presented with rhabdomyolysis and cerebral ischemic stroke after intravenous heroin. He had used heroin since age 20, and had used 150 mg methadone daily for 6 months. He was found unconsciousness at home and was sent to our hospital. In the ER, his opiate level was 4497 ng/ml. In the ICU, we found rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure and acute respiratory failure. After transfer to an internal ward, we noted aphasia and weakness of his left limbs. After MRI, we found cerebral ischemic infarction. Conclusion:, Those using methadone and heroin simultaneously may increase risk of rhabdomyolysis and ischemic stroke. Patients under methadone maintenance therapy should be warned regarding these serious adverse events. Hypotheses of heroin-related rhabdomyolysis and stroke in heroin abusers are discussed. [source]


Causes of death among HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, Bordeaux, France, 1998,1999

HIV MEDICINE, Issue 3 2002
F Bonnet
Objectives To describe the causes of death in HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Method A retrospective survey conducted in Bordeaux, France. Medical records of all deaths that had occurred in 1998 and 1999 amongst patients followed within the Aquitaine cohort were reviewed by the same physician. Immediate and underlying causes of death were described, taking into account the morbidity at the time of death. Results Sixty-six deaths occurred in 1998, and 41 in 1999. Sixty-seven per cent of deceased patients were male. Median age at time of death was 43 years (range 25,71), median CD4 was 162 cells/µL (0,957); 28% of patients had a CD4 count > 200 cells/µL and 7% plasma viral load < 500 HIV-RNA copies/mL. Amongst morbidity present at the time of death, there were 23 bacterial infections, 16 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 16 cirrhoses, 15 non HIV-related malignancies, 13 central nervous system diseases and 10 myocardiopathies. The main immediate causes of death were: multiple organ failure (21%), coma (18%), septic shock (15%) and acute respiratory failure (14%). Underlying causes of death were AIDS-defining events (48%), non AIDS HIV-related infection (3%), hepatitis B- or C-associated cirrhosis (14%), non HIV-related malignancies (11%), cardiovascular events (10%), suicide and overdose (6%), treatment-related fatalities (4%), injury (2%) and unknown (2%). Patients dying from AIDS-related events were more often female, had a lower CD4 count, a higher level of HIV-RNA, a shorter history of HIV infection and were less often coinfected with hepatitis B and C viruses than those dying from other underlying causes. Conclusions AIDS-related events are no longer the major causes of death of HIV-infected patients in the era of HAART. This evolving mortality pattern justifies an adaptation of both the epidemiological surveillance and the clinical monitoring of HIV-infected patients. [source]


Spontaneous delivery during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in swine influenza-related acute respiratory failure

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 9 2010
J. Kunstyr
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Are Aggressive Treatment Strategies Less Cost-Effective for Older Patients?

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 4 2001
Aggressive Care for Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure, The Case of Ventilator Support
OBJECTIVES: A common assumption is that life-sustaining treatments are much less cost-effective for older patients than for younger patients. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness of providing mechanical ventilation and intensive care for patients of various ages who had acute respiratory failure. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data on acute respiratory failure from Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments (SUPPORT). SETTING: Acute hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 1,005 with acute respiratory failure; 963 received ventilator support and 42 had ventilator support withheld. MEASUREMENTS: We studied 1,005 patients enrolled in a five-center study of seriously ill patients (SUPPORT) with acute respiratory failure (pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome and an Acute Physiology Score ,10) requiring ventilator support. For cost-effectiveness analyses, we estimated life expectancy based on long-term follow-up of SUPPORT patients and estimated utilities (quality-of-life weights) using time-tradeoff questions. We used hospital fiscal data and Medicare data to estimate healthcare costs. We divided patients into three age groups (<65, 65,74, and ,75 years); for each age group, we performed separate analyses for patients with a ,50% probability of surviving at least 2 months (high-risk group) and those with a> 50% probability of surviving at least 2 months (low-risk group). RESULTS: Of the 963 patients who received ventilator support, 44% were female; 48% survived 6 months; and the median (25th, 75th percentile) age was 63 (46, 75) years. For the 42 patients for whom ventilator support was withheld, the median survival was 3 days. For low-risk patients (>50% estimated 2-month survival), the incremental cost (1998 dollars) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) saved by providing ventilator support and aggressive care increased across the three age groups ($32,000 for patients age <65, $44,000 for those age 65,74, and $46,000 for those age ,75). For high-risk patients, the incremental cost-effectiveness was much less favorable and was least favorable for younger patients ($130,000 for patients age <65, $100,000 for those age 65,74, and $96,000 for those age ,75). When we varied our assumptions from 50% to 200% of our baseline estimates in sensitivity analyses, results were most sensitive to the costs of the index hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with relatively good short-term prognoses, we found that ventilator support and aggressive care were economically worthwhile, even for patients 75 years and older. For patients with poor short-term prognoses, ventilator support and aggressive care were much less cost-effective for adults of all ages. [source]


Review of non-invasive ventilation in the emergency department: clinical considerations and management priorities

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 23 2009
Louise Rose
Aims and objectives., We aimed to synthesise evidence from published literature on non-invasive ventilation to inform nurses involved in the clinical management of non-invasive ventilation in the emergency department. Background., Non-invasive ventilation is a form of ventilatory support that does not require endotracheal intubation and is used in the early management of acute respiratory failure in emergency departments. Safe delivery of this intervention requires a skilled team, educated and experienced in appropriate patient selection, available devices and monitoring priorities. Design., Systematic review. Method., A multi-database search was performed to identify works published in the English language between 1998,2008. Search terms included: non-invasive ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure and emergency department. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review were identified and systematically applied. Results., Terminology used to describe aspects of non-invasive ventilation is ambiguous. Two international guidelines inform the delivery of this intervention, however, much research has been undertaken since these publications. Strong evidence exists for non-invasive ventilation for patients with acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Non-invasive ventilation may be delivered with various interfaces and modes; little evidence is available for the superiority of individual interfaces or modes. Conclusions., Early use of non-invasive ventilation for the management of acute respiratory failure may reduce mortality and morbidity. Though international guidelines exist, specific recommendations to guide the selection of modes, settings or interfaces for various aetiologies are lacking due to the absence of empirical evidence. Relevance to clinical practice., Monitoring of non-invasive ventilation should focus on assessment of response to treatment, respiratory and haemodynamic stability, patient comfort and presence of air leaks. Complications are related to mask-fit and high air flows; serious complications are few and occur infrequently. The use of non-invasive ventilation has resource implications that must be considered to provide effective and safe management in the emergency department. [source]


Diagnostic accuracy of bedside ultrasonography in the ICU: feasibility of detecting pulmonary effusion and lung contusion in patients on respiratory support after severe blunt thoracic trauma

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2008
M. ROCCO
Background: Blunt thoracic trauma is a major concern in critically ill patients. Repeated lung diagnostic evaluations are needed in order to follow up the clinical situation and the results of the therapeutic strategies. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the possible role of lung ultrasound (LU) compared with bedside radiography (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) used as the gold standard in the evaluation of trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure. Method: A total of 15 thoracic trauma patients were studied at intensive care unit (ICU) arrival (T1) and 48 h later (T2) with CT, CXR and LU. We evaluated the presence of pleural effusion (PE) and lung contusion (LC). For this purpose the lung parenchyma was divided into 12 regions so that we could compare 180 lung regions at T1 and T2, respectively. Results: Sensitivity of ultrasound was 0.94 for PE and 0.86 for LC while specificity 0.99 and 0.97, respectively. The likelihood ratio was 94 (,+) and 0.06 (,,) for PE and 28.6 (,+) and 0.14 (,,) for LC. Conclusions: Ultrasound provides a reliable noninvasive, bedside method for the assessment of chest trauma patients with acute respiratory failure in the ICU. [source]


Regional pulmonary pressure volume curves in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure measured by electrical impedance tomography

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2006
J. Hinz
Background:, We hypothized, that in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure, regional pressure volume curves differ markedly from conventional global pressure volume curves of the whole lung. Methods:, In nine mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure during an inspiratory low-flow manoeuvre, conventional global pressure volume curves were registered by spirometry and regional pressure volume curves in up to 912 regions were assessed simultaneously using electrical impedance tomography. We compared the lower (LIP) and upper (UIP) inflection points obtained from the conventional global pressure volume curve and regional pressure volume curves. Results:, We identified from the conventional global pressure volume curves LIP [3,11 (8) cmH2O] in eight patients and UIP [31,39 (33) cmH2O] in three patients. Using electrical impedance tomography (EIT), LIP [3,18 (8) cmH2O] in 54,264 (180) regions and UIP [23,42 (36) cmH2O] in 149,324 (193) regions (range and median) were identified. Lung mechanics measured by conventional global pressure volume curves are similar to the median of regional pressure volume curves obtained by EIT within the tomographic plane. However, single regional pressure volume curves differ markedly with a broad heterogeneity of lower and upper inflection points. Conclusion:, Lower and upper inflection points obtained from conventional global pressure volume curves are not representative of all regions of the lungs. [source]


Ventilator treatment in the Nordic countries.

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 9 2002
A multicenter survey
Background: A 1-day point prevalence study was performed in the Nordic countries to identify ventilator-treatment strategies in the region. Material and methods: On 30 May 30 2001 all mechanically ventilated patients in 27 intensive care units (ICUs) were registered via the internet. The results are shown as medians (25th, 75th percentile). Results: ,One hundred and eight patients were included (69% male) with new simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) 48 (37,57) and 4.5 d (2,11) of ventilator treatment. The most frequent indication for ventilator treatment was acute respiratory failure (73%). Airway management was by endotracheal tube (64%), tracheostomy (32%) and facial mask (4%). Pressure regulated ventilator modes were used in 86% of the patients and spontaneous triggering was allowed in 75%. The tidal volume was 7 ml/kg (6,9), peak inspiratory pressure 22 cmH2O (18,26) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 6 cmH2O (6,9). FiO2 was 40% (35,50), SaO2 97% (95,98), PaO2 11 kPa (10,13), PaCO2 5.4 kPa (4.7,6.3), pH 7.43 (7.38,7.47) and BE 2.0 mmol/l (, 0.5,5). The PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 220 mmHg (166,283). The peak inspiratory pressure (r=0.37), mean airway pressure (r=0.36), PEEP (r=0.33), tidal volume (r=0.22) and SAPS score (r=0.19) were identified as independent variables in relation to the PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Conclusion: The vast majority of patients were ventilated with pressure-regulated modes. Tidal volume was well below what has been considered conventional in recent large trials. Correlations between the parameters of gas exchange, respiratory mechanics, ventilator settings and physiological status of the patients was poor. It appears that blood gas values are the main tool used to steer ventilator treatment. These results may help to design future interventional studies of ventilator treatment. [source]


Noninvasive ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit for children with acute respiratory failure,,

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 6 2003
W. Gerald Teague MD
Abstract Noninvasive ventilation, a novel treatment to increase alveolar ventilation, is accomplished with either subatmospheric or positive pressure administered via an external interface. In adults with acute respiratory failure, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is superior to standard therapy in preventing intubation and reducing mortality. The role of NPPV in pediatric-age patients with acute respiratory distress is not as well established. Early case reports showed that NPPV treatment does acutely improve both the clinical manifestations of respiratory distress and respiratory gas exchange in children with respiratory distress. However, it is not clear whether NPPV in this setting can prevent vs. delay endotracheal intubation. Other uses of NPPV in the pediatric intensive care unit include the treatment of upper airway obstruction, atelectasis, and exacerbations of neuromuscular disorders, and to facilitate weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation. Successful use of NPPV in young infants with respiratory distress is impeded by the lack of suitable size interfaces, and the response characteristics of commercially available bilevel ventilators. Despite these challenges, NPPV is a promising alternate to standard therapies in the treatment of acute respiratory distress in the pediatric-age patient. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:418,426. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Recurrent pneumothoraces associated with nocturnal noninvasive ventilation in a patient with muscular dystrophy

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 1 2002
Lee R. Choo-Kang MD
Abstract Although a common complication of mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory failure, spontaneous pneumothorax has been rarely reported among patients on chronic, intermittent, noninvasive positive pressure support. We report the first case of recurrent pneumothoraces associated with nocturnal bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation via a nasal mask. A 26-year old man with chronic respiratory failure secondary to an unclassified neuromuscular condition suffered four separate episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax over a 12-month period. Two episodes occurred while he was asleep on bilevel positive airway pressure support. He was found to have numerous subpleural blebs, and we propose a mechanism for their development. Following open pleurodesis and blebectomy, the patient has not had another pneumothorax. Given the increasing utilization of chronic nocturnal bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation, we suggest that healthcare providers and patients be made aware of this potentially life-threatening complication. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 34:73,78. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Early onset pneumonia in patients with cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning

RESPIROLOGY, Issue 6 2010
Chen-Yu WANG
ABSTRACT Background and objective: Organophosphates and carbamates are potent cholinesterase inhibitors that are widely used as insecticides in agriculture. Pneumonia is a frequent complication of cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning (CIP) and a risk factor for death. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the risk factors for pneumonia in patients with CIP. Methods: The medical records of 155 patients, who were treated for CIP in a 1300-bed medical centre in central Taiwan, from January 2002 to December 2004, were retrospectively analysed. Pneumonia was diagnosed by a new or persistent infiltrate on CXR, as well as clinical symptoms. Demographic data, comorbidities, acute respiratory failure and in-hospital mortality were also recorded. Results: Of the 155 patients, 31 (20%) died and 92 (59.4%) developed acute respiratory failure. Thirty-four patients (21.9%) were diagnosed with early onset pneumonia during hospitalization. Acute respiratory failure (OR 12.10, 95% CI: 2.55,57.45), underlying cardiovascular disease (OR 3.02, 95% CI: 1.02,8.91), undergoing gastric lavage at peripheral hospitals (OR 6.23, 95% CI: 1.52,25.98) and development of respiratory failure at the study centre after gastric lavage (OR 3.43, 95% CI: 1.17,10.0) were predictive factors for early onset pneumonia. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR 23.58, 95% CI: 6.03,92.29), early onset pneumonia (OR 7.45, 95% CI: 2.02,27.5) and lower Glasgow coma score (OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08,1.48) were predictive factors for mortality. Conclusions: Pneumonia was a significant risk factor for death in patients with CIP. In addition to aggressive management of patients with CIP who develop respiratory failure, careful respiratory evaluation before and after gastric lavage would help to decrease the incidence of early onset pneumonia in patients with CIP. [source]


The value of lung ultrasound monitoring in H1N1 acute respiratory distress syndrome

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 3 2010
A. Peris
Summary We present the case of a healthy young male who developed acute respiratory failure as a result of infection with influenza A/H1N1 of swine-origin and in whom ventilatory support was optimised and recovery of lung function was monitored by the use of sequential chest ultrasound examinations. The potential pivotal role of bedside lung ultrasonography in H1N1-induced respiratory failure is discussed. [source]


RISK FACTORS FOR POSTOPERATIVE PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS IN UPPER ABDOMINAL SURGERY

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 3 2007
Fikret Kanat
Background: Pulmonary complications are the most frequent cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in upper abdominal surgery (UAS). We aimed to examine the influence of possible preoperative, operative and postoperative risk factors on the development of early postoperative pulmonary complications (POPC) after UAS. Methods: A prospective study of 60 consecutive patients was conducted who underwent elective UAS in general surgical unit. Each patient's preoperative respiratory status was assessed by an experienced chest physician using clinical examination, chest radiographs, spirometry and blood gas analysis . Anaesthetical risks, surgical indications, operation time, incision type, duration of nasogastric catheter and mobilization time were noted. Forty-eight hours after the operation, pulmonary examinations of the patients were repeated. Results: Postoperative pulmonary complications were observed in 35 patients (58.3%). The most common complication was pneumonia, followed by pneumonitis, atelectasis, bronchitis, pulmonary emboli and acute respiratory failure. The presence of preoperative respiratory symptoms and the spirometric parameter of forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity were the most valuable risk factors for early prediction of POPC. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficiency of the presence of preoperative respiratory symptoms in the POPC prediction were 70, 61 and 66%, respectively. Conclusion: We recommend a detailed pulmonary examination and spirometry in patients who will undergo UAS by chest physicians to identify the patients at high risk for POPC, to manage respiratory problems of the patients before surgery and also to help surgeons to take early measures in such patients before a most likely POPC occurrence. Improvement of lung function in those patients at risk for POPC before operation may decrease morbidity in surgical patients. [source]


Non-invasive ventilation for treatment of postoperative respiratory failure after oesophagectomy

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 1 2009
P. Michelet
Background: The aim of this case,control study was to compare the efficacy of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) with that of conventional treatment in patients who develop postoperative acute respiratory failure (ARF) after oesophagectomy. Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients with ARF treated by NPPV were matched for diagnosis, age within 5 years, sex, preoperative radiochemotherapy and Charlson co-morbidity index with 36 patients who received conventional treatment (control group). Results: NPPV was associated with a lower reintubation rate (nine versus 23 patients; P = 0·008), lower frequency of acute respiratory distress syndrome (eight versus 19 patients; P = 0·015), and a reduction in intensive care stay (mean(s.d.) 14(13) versus 22(18) days; P = 0·034). Anastomotic leakage was less common in patients receiving NPPV (two versus ten; P = 0·027). These patients also showed a greater improvement in gas exchange in the first 3 days after onset of ARF (P = 0·013). Conclusion: The use of NPPV for the treatment of postoperative ARF may decrease the incidence of endotracheal intubation and related complications, without increasing the risk of anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy. Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Deprivation, ethnicity and prematurity in infant respiratory failure in PICU in the UK

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2010
DR O'Donnell
Abstract Aim:, To describe the epidemiology of infants admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care (PIC) with acute respiratory failure including bronchiolitis. Methods:, Data from all consecutive admissions from 2004 to 2007 in all 29 designated Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) in England and Wales were collected. Admission rates, risk-adjusted mortality, length of stay, ventilation status, preterm birth, deprivation and ethnicity were studied. Results:, A total of 4641 infants under 1 year of age had an unplanned admission to PIC with acute respiratory failure (ARF), an admission rate of 1.80 per 1000 infants per year. There was a reduced rate of admission with bronchiolitis in South Asian children admitted to PICU, which is not explained by case-mix. Children born preterm had a higher rate of admission and longer stay, but a similar low mortality. Risk-adjusted mortality was higher in South Asian infants and the highest in those with ARF (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.20,2.57) compared with the rest of the PICU population. Conclusion:, Acute respiratory failure in infants causes most of the seasonal variation in unplanned admission to intensive care. Socioeconomic deprivation and prematurity are additional risk factors for admission. Fewer South Asian infants are admitted to PICU with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, but risk-adjusted mortality is higher in South Asian infants overall. [source]


Association of polymorphisms in the human surfactant protein-D (SFTPD) gene and postnatal pulmonary adaptation in the preterm infant

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 1 2009
Anne Hilgendorff
Abstract Background. Surfactant protein-D (SP-D) is a member of the collagenous subfamily of calcium-dependent lectins (collectins). Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the human gene coding surfactant protein-D (SFTPD) and infectious pulmonary diseases have been established by several groups. As the outcome of very preterm infants is mainly determined by pulmonary morbidity, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential association between sequence variations within the SFTPD gene and pulmonary morbidity in preterm infants below 32 weeks of gestational age (GA). Materials and Results. Four validated SNPs were genotyped with sequence-specific probes (TaqMan 7000) in 284 newborn infants below 32 weeks of GA. An association between the SNP rs1923537 and the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the study population was found with a lower prevalence of RDS in infants having homozygous a minor allele genotype (odds ratio = 1.733, 95% confidence interval 1.139,2.636, adjusted p = 0.0408). Consecutively, the indicated polymorphism was found to be associated with a lower number of repetitive surfactant doses, and with a lower prevalence for the requirement of oxygen supplementation on day 28, as well as the use of diuretics. Conclusion. The finding of an association of a variant of the SFTPD gene, that has previously been shown to be associated with increased SP-D serum levels in adult patients with acute respiratory failure, i.e. RDS in preterm infants, may provide a basis for the initial risk assessment of RDS and modification of surfactant treatment strategies. A role for SP-D in neonatal pulmonary adaptation has to be postulated. [source]