Some complications of mechanical ventilation in critically ill newborns and infants

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 30 newborns and infants who have been admitted to the ICU of Cairo University New Children's Hospital. The indications of mechanical ventilation [MV] were respiratory failure [RF] [83.3%] and recurrent apneic episodes [16.7%]. The commonest causes of RF were pneumonia [64%], respiratory distress syndrome [12%] and acute pulmonary edema [8%]. The most frequently encountered complications were those of endotracheal tube [ETT] [83.3%], occasional hypoventilation [76.7%] or hyperventilation [65.7%], pulmonary air leak [23.3%], fighting the respirator [16.7%], broncho- pulmonary dysplasia [BPD] [6.7%], accidental extubation [13.3%] and faulty intubation of esophagus [3.3%]. The frequency of complications were directly proportional to the duration of MV. Although MV is an important life-saving procedure for many critically ill infants, it is commonly associated with complications, sometimes serious enough to endanger patient's life. All personnel in charge of the critically ill patients in the ICU should be aware of, and able to anticipate, recognize and intervene promptly and skillfully should these complications happen