Post-acute day and night non-invasive respiratory intervention use and outcome: A brief report.

Objective: This study aimed to describe daytime and nighttime use and outcome of non-invasive respiratory intervention (NIRI) for infants born prematurely and for children with medical complexity (CMC) during a post-acute care hospital (PACH) admission.

Methods: Thirty-eight initial PACH admissions (October 2018 through September 2020) for premature infants (< 1 year; n = 19) and CMC (> 1 year; n = 19) requiring NIRI during the day and/or at night were retrospectively examined. Measures included: 1) daytime and nighttime NIRI use by type (supplemental oxygen therapy via low-flow nasal cannula or positive airway pressure [PAP] via high-flow nasal cannula, continuous positive airway pressure, or biphasic positive airway pressure at admission and discharge) and 2) daytime and nighttime NIRI outcome-reduction, increase, or no change from admission to discharge.

Longitudinal Analysis of Pulmonary Function in Survivors of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Objective: To analyze longitudinal trends of pulmonary function testing in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) followed in our multidisciplinary clinic.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of CDH patients born between 1991 and 2013. A linear mixed effects model was fitted to estimate the trends of percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEVpp), percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVCpp), and FEV/FVC over time.

Longitudinal Analysis of Ventilation Perfusion Mismatch in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Survivors.

Objective: To determine the natural history of pulmonary function for survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of survivors of CDH born during 1991-2016 and followed at our institution. A generalized linear model was fitted to assess the longitudinal trends of ventilation (V), perfusion (Q), and V/Q mismatch.

Does the ex utero intrapartum treatment to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedure change morbidity outcomes for high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors?

Purpose: In high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), significant barotrauma or death can occur before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be initiated. We previously examined ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT)-to-ECMO in our most severe CDH patients, but demonstrated no survival advantage. We now report morbidity outcomes in survivors of this high-risk cohort to determine whether EXIT-to-ECMO conferred any benefit.

Laughter is not always funny: breath-holding spells in familial dysautonomia.

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a genetic disease characterized by primary autonomic dysfunction including parasympathetic hypersensitivity. Breath-holding spells (BHS) are believed to be caused by autonomic dysregulation mediated via the vagus nerve and increased in patients with a family history of BHS. Details and understanding of its pathophysiology are lacking.

Respiratory failure.

On the basis of research evidence, (1)(2) numerous diseases and conditions can impair gas exchange, resulting in failure to meet the body's metabolic demands and leading to respiratory failure. On the basis of consensus, (1)(2)(7)(8)(9)(10) the clinical presentations of respiratory failure depend on the underlying cause and the level of hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Early diagnosis, close monitoring, and timely intervention are of utmost importance.

Bronchoscopy findings in children and young adults with tracheostomy due to congenital anomalies and neurological impairment.

The aim of this study was to examine bronchoscopy findings for children and young adults with long-term tracheostomies due to congenital anomalies and neurological impairment and identify characteristics associated with abnormal bronchoscopic findings. We conducted a retrospective study of 128 bronchoscopy cases (81 children) at a pediatric rehabilitation center. Thirty-eight cases (30%) had normal findings and 14 children (17% of all children) were decannulated following bronchoscopy.

Outcomes of post-acute hospital episodes for young children requiring airway support.

In this descriptive study, we examined changes in invasive and non-invasive airway support; studied the rates of home discharge vs. long-term care or acute hospitalization; and examined the relationship between the level of airway support and discharge to home for 92 children (<3 years of age) with 104 admission-discharge episodes to a consortium of pediatric rehabilitation hospitals over a one-year period. We found a significant reduction (p < 0.

Ventilator weaning outcomes in chronic respiratory failure in children.

The purpose of this study was to describe mechanical ventilation weaning outcomes for children with chronic respiratory failure discharged from one of six post-acute rehabilitation facilities. Demographic, clinical and outcome data were collected from the medical record. Forty-four children were included in this prospective series; 20 (45%) were weaned off the ventilator at discharge.

Weaning children from mechanical ventilation in a post-acute care setting.

As medical and technological advances have made it possible to prolong the life of children with chronic respiratory failure, children are being referred to post-acute inpatient rehabilitation programmes. In these settings, children can be weaned from their ventilators and receive medical and rehabilitative care in a developmentally supportive environment at a lower financial cost than in an intensive care unit. There is strong evidence that weaning children from mechanical ventilation has beneficial effects on their functionality, ease of care and quality of life.

A fitness program for children with disabilities.

Background And Purpose: This case report describes a fitness program for children with disabilities and provides preliminary information about the safety and feasibility of the program.

Case Description: Nine children, 5 to 9 years of age with physical or other developmental disabilities, participated in a 14-week group exercise program held 2 times per week followed by a 12-week home exercise program. Energy expenditure index, leg strength (force-generating capacity of muscle), functional skills, fitness, self-perception, and safety were measured before intervention, after the group exercise program, and again after the home exercise program.

Tracheostomy speaking valves for children: tolerance and clinical benefits.

Introduction: Use of a tracheostomy speaking valve allows the expiratory flow of air to exit over the vocal folds promoting phonation. The purpose of this retrospective review was to determine: (1) what percentage of trial candidates tolerated a speaking valve; (2) whether candidates achieved phonation with a valve; and (3) which secondary benefits (coughing ability, secretion management, swallowing/feeding and oxygenation) could be clinically observed.

Methods: Twelve cases of children and youth (ages 8 months to 21 years) evaluated for a tracheostomy speaking valve at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital were reviewed.

Head circumference and chronic positive pressure ventilation in children: a pilot study.

Methods: We reviewed the cases of 11 children <12 years of age with complex medical conditions and respiratory failure requiring chronic positive pressure ventilation (CPPV). We conducted a within-group comparison of average head circumference (HC) percentiles with each child's age-expected 50th percentile value and a between-groups comparison with children with no history of ventilation. We examined the relationship between HC, peak levels of positive inspiratory pressure (PIP), and length of time on CPPV.

Oxygen and ventilator weaning during inpatient pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation.

Rates of oxygen and ventilator weaning, and factors related to successful weaning in inpatient pediatric pulmonary programs for infants and young children, have not been frequently reported in the literature. A retrospective review was conducted of 34 infants and toddlers with either a diagnostic condition of prematurity (PM) or congenital anomalies/neuromuscular disease (CA/NM) discharged from an inpatient pulmonary program. These cases represent 67 hospital admission-discharge episodes over a 6-year period.

Re-admissions to inpatient paediatric pulmonary rehabilitation.

Objective: To describe re-admission rates, identify reasons for re-admission and examine characteristics of children requiring re-admission to inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation.

Methodology: Retrospective record review of infants and toddlers (less than three years of age) requiring oxygen or ventilator support discharged from an inpatient paediatric pulmonary rehabilitation programme between 1992 and 1999.

Results: Forty-one initial admissions resulted in 45 readmissions with a mean re-admission rate of 1.