Noninvasive ventilation in a pediatric ICU: factors associated with failure.

Objective Evaluate the efficacy of Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation (NIV) in preventing Endotracheal Intubation (ETI) in a heterogeneous pediatric population and identify predictive factors associated with NIV failure in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Methods Prospective non-randomized clinical trial conducted with patients aged 0-10 years, hospitalized in a PICU with NIV indication, who presented acute or chronic respiratory failure. Demographic data and clinical and cardiorespiratory parameters were evaluated, and patients who did not progress to ETI in 48 h after withdrawal of NIV were classified as "success group", whereas those who progressed to ETI were included in the "failure group".

Hypertonic Saline as a Useful Tool for Sputum Induction and Pathogen Detection in Cystic Fibrosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the qualitative and semi-quantitative detection of pathogens in the airway secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the sputum induction capacity before and after inhalation of 7% hypertonic saline solution (HSS).

Methods: The study enrolled 64 patients with CF. Airway secretions were collected from all enrolled patients with CF before and after inhalation of 7% HSS, and the samples were screened for pathogens.

Quality of life assessment in patients with cystic fibrosis by means of the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire.

Objective: To assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) followed at a university referral center for CF.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving application of the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire (CFQ) and Shwachman score in CF patients between April of 2008 and June of 2009.

Results: The sample consisted of 75 patients.