Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M M Pollack.
Respiratory distress syndrome is the clinical manifestation of injury to the terminal alveolar-capillary unit, and may result from a variety of nonpulmonary insults including shock, sepsis, and trauma. The clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in children are reviewed.
There are a few reports of the application of high PEEP (PEEP greater than or equal to 15 cm H2O) infants and children. Data concerning cardiac index (CI), pulmonary venous admixture (Qsp/Qt), and arterial mixed venous oxygen content difference (avDO2) during mechanical ventilation with high PEEP have not been reported. Fourteen infants and children were treated with high levels of PEEP; 8 of these patients were monitored with pulmonary artery catheters. Cardiopulmonary data were obtained from these 8 patients and pulmonary barotrauma data were tabulated from all 14 patients. At highest PEEP, CI = 3.6 +/- 0.6 L/min x M2, avDO2 = 4,45 +/- 0.83 ml/dl and Qsp/Qt = 16.7 +/- 2.1%. One patient experienced severe cardiac depression unresponsive to therapy; it resolved when PEEP was lowered. Pulmonary barotrauma was a frequent complication. Pneumothroax occurred in 6 patients. No patient died from pulmonary barotrauma. We conclude that PEEP greater than or equal to 15 cm H2O can be used in infants and children to decrease Qsp/Qt toward normal; CI and avDO2 can usually be maintained in an acceptable range. Patients should be frequently monitored for pulmonary barotrauma.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Cerebellar herniation with frank necrosis of the cerebellum is a rare event in infants with unfused sutures and open fontanelles. We have described this case of cerebellar herniation to emphasize its occurrence in infancy.
The incidence of pulmonary barotrauma during mechanical ventilation in children beyond the neonatal age group was studied in two groups of patients. In the first group, 179 cases of pediatric mechanical ventilation for over 12 hours were retrospectively analyzed for the occurrence of pneumothorax and pneumomediastrinum. Eleven percent (6 of 57) of young infants (0--6 months) without hyaline membrane disease and 3% (4 of 122) of older infants and children (over 6 months) developed these complications. Pulmonary barotrauma in young infants occurred only after cardiothoracic surgery and involved the same site as the intraoperative repair in all cases. Pulmonary barotrauma in older infants and children occurred in patients with severe respiratory disease requiring high peak airway pressures, PEEP, and respiratory rates. In the second group, the incidence of pulmonary barotrauma during ventilation with PEEP greater than or equal to 15 cm H2O was analyzed in 14 patients including 4 patients from the previous group. Overall, 64% (9 of 14) of this group developed pulmonary barotrauma and 43% (6 of 14) developed pneumothorax. Of 9 patients receiving PEEP greater than or equal to 15 cm H2O for longer than 24 hours, 6 developed pulmonary barotrauma after the first 24 hours. The incidence of pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in ventilated infants without hyaline membrane disease and children is comparable to adult series.
Fulminant postoperative group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections present a serious and potentially lethal threat to children. Three children with severe postoperative streptococcal wound infections are presented. Each child developed high fever within the first 24 hr after surgery, followed shortly by signs of septic shock. In all patients, the clinical appreciation of wound infection became apparent late in the course of the illness. All three children had white blood cell counts below 6000/cu mm. One child developed crepitus in the incision; another showed radiographic evidence of free air in the soft tissues. The only survivor received antibiotics immediately following the initial fever along with re-exploration and drainage of the operative wound.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The prevalences of acute and chronic protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and deficiencies in stores of fat and somatic protein have not been previously examined in pediatric intensive care unit. One hundred eight nutritional assessments were performed using anthropometric techniques on infants and children in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit. Overall, the prevalence of acute PEM was 19% and chronic PEM was 18%. The prevalence of fat store depletion was 14% and somatic protein store depletion was 21%. In general, children less than 2 years had poorer nutritional status compared to children greater than 2 years. There was not a statistically significant difference between medical and surgical patients. It is concluded that PEM and deficiencies in the macronutrient stores of fat and somatic protein are common in critically ill infants and children.
The association of nutritional depletions with physiologic instability and quantity of care was examined in 60 critically ill children. Nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometric techniques. Physiologic stability was measured by the Physiologic Stability Index and quantity of care was measured by the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System. Acute protein-energy malnutrition was significantly associated with increased physiologic instability and increased quantity of care (p less than 0.01). This association was present for the total group, children less than 24 months of age, and for these two groups with nonsurvivors excluded. Mortality was also significantly associated with acute protein-energy malnutrition (p less than 0.001). Physiologic instability and increased quantity of care were not associated with chronic protein-energy malnutrition, fat store depletion, or somatic protein store depletion. We conclude that acute protein-energy malnutrition in critically ill children is associated with increased physiologic instability and increased quantity of care.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.