[Effectiveness of home ventilation of young children and infants].

BACKGROUND

The home care ventilation of patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency is a well-established method. In treating infants and newborns a lot of problems arise that deal with indication, prognosis and management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We investigated 7 newborns and infants with chronic respiratory insufficiency after cervical spine trauma causing "pentaplegia" or due to inherited neuromuscular disorders (spinal muscular atrophy, myopathy) during homecare ventilation.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In contrast to experience with adults the management of the children with "pentaplegia" was relatively harmless. All were tracheostomized primarily, but 1 tracheostomy could be closed, because the patient finally achieved to be ventilated only during night-time in the iron lung. The 3 children with neuromuscular diseases were ventilated noninvasively by specially fitted nasal masks. Despite coming to the frontiers of feasibility, and taking into account the psychological stress for patients, relatives, doctors and nurses, satisfactory results were obtained.