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Brenda M Morrow

Publications and source records attributed to Brenda M Morrow.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Clinical course of hospitalised children infected with human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.

AIM: To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of hospitalised patients infected with human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) in a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: hMPV was identified in 17 respiratory specimens submitted for viral studies during the period 2001-2003. These patients' medical folders were retrospectively reviewed for clinical, radiological and laboratory data, together with a convenience sample of 20 hRSV-infected patients. RESULTS: hMPV-infected patients were older than those infected with hRSV (P = 0.04) and required a longer hospital stay (P = 0.02). Presenting clinical signs and symptoms were similar between groups. Fourteen (87.5%) hMPV- and 16 (80%) hRSV-infected patients presented with co-morbid and/or immunosuppressive conditions (P > or = 0.5). The most common abnormalities on chest radiographs in both groups were bronchial wall thickening, focal consolidation and atelectasis. Six (37.5%) hMPV- and 11 (55%) hRSV-infected patients required admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (P > 0.1) with five (31.3%) hMPV- and eight (40%) hRSV-infected patients requiring intubation and ventilation (P > 0.5). Three (18.7%) hMPV-patients and three (15%) hRSV-infected patients died during this admission (P > 0.5). All hMPV-infected patients who died had significant co-morbid conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that hMPV is a significant respiratory pathogen in this setting, with similar presentation and outcome to hRSV infection. This is the largest report of hMPV infection causing significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and death, associated with underlying risk factors.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2004

Endotracheal suctioning: from principles to practice.

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to highlight the physical principles of pressure and flow dynamics underlying endotracheal suctioning, to demonstrate these on a simple illustrative model and to discuss the clinical implications of these principles for paediatric practice. DESIGN: Prospective in vitro study. SETTING: Paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary, academic hospital. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The peak pressure change (DeltaP) obtained in a "bag-in-box" model was recorded during suctioning, using different combinations of endotracheal tube (ETT) and catheter sizes, different suction pressures and techniques. Suction was also performed on three different consistencies of gelatine, using a range of suction catheter sizes and vacuum pressures. The mass of gelatine suctioned per second was calculated. A large DeltaP was measured when using neonatal-sized ETTs. There was a linear relationship (r=0,8, p<0.05) between DeltaP and the ratio of external catheter area to area difference (internal ETT area-external catheter area). Significantly greater DeltaP was measured when using a short versus long suction catheter ( p<0.001) and when applying suction for longer duration ( p<0,001) and with higher vacuum pressures ( p<0.05). The amount of mucus suctioned in a given time was related to catheter size, suction pressure and mucus density. CONCLUSION: Applied clinically, these results indicate that intrapulmonary pressure changes generated by the endotracheal suctioning of intubated neonates are likely to be considerable, possibly translating into loss of lung volume.

Catheterization↗