Outcome of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in paediatric neuromuscular disease

Sleep in pediatric neuromuscular disorders

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent among children with neuromuscular disorders (NMD). The combination of respiratory muscle weakness, altered drive, and chest wall distortion due to scoliosis make sleep a stressful state in this population. Symptomatology can range from absent to snoring, nocturnal awakenings, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Sequelae of untreated SDB includes cardiovascular effects, metabolic derangements, and neurocognitive concerns which can be compounded by those innate to the NMD. The clinician should have a low threshold for obtaining polysomnography and recognize the nuances of individual disorders due to disproportionately impacted muscle groups such as hypoventilation in ambulating patients from diaphragm weakness. Non-invasive or invasive ventilation are the mainstay of treatment. In this review we explore the diagnosis and treatment of SDB in children with various NMD.

Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children with Neuromuscular Disease

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children with neuromuscular disease (NMD) is more prevalent compared to the general population, and often manifests as sleep-related hypoventilation, sleep-related hypoxemia, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and/or disordered control of breathing. Other sleep problems include, sleep fragmentation, abnormal sleep architecture, and nocturnal seizures in certain neuromuscular diseases. The manifestation of sleep disordered breathing in children depends on the extent, type, and progression of neuromuscular weakness, and in some instances, may be the first sign of a neuromuscular weakness leading to diagnosis of an NMD. In-lab diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing in children, but poses several challenges, including access to many children with neuromuscular disease who are non-ambulatory. If SDB is untreated, it can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, we aimed to perform a comprehensive review of the literature of SDB in children with NMD. This review includes pathophysiological changes during sleep, clinical evaluation, diagnosis, challenges in interpreting PSG data using American Academy of Sleep (AASM) diagnostic criteria, management of SDB, and suggests areas for future research.

ATS Core Curriculum 2022. Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine: Updates in pediatric neuromuscular disease

The American Thoracic Society Core Curriculum updates clinicians annually in pediatric pulmonary disease. This is a concise review of the Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Core Curriculum presented at the 2022 American Thoracic Society International Conference. Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) comprise a variety of conditions that commonly affect the respiratory system and cause significant morbidity including dysphagia, chronic respiratory failure, and sleep disordered breathing. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of mortality in this population. Substantial progress has been made in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment for NMD over the last decade. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is utilized to objectively measure respiratory pump function and PFT milestones are utilized in NMD-specific pulmonary care guidelines. New disease modifying therapies are approved for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), including the first ever approved systemic gene therapy, in the case of SMA. Despite extraordinary progress in the medical management of NMD, little is known regarding the respiratory implications and long-term outcomes for patients in the era of advanced therapeutics and precision medicine. The combination of technological and biomedical advancements has increased the complexity of the medical decision-making process for patients and families, thus emphasizing the importance of balancing respect for autonomy with the other foundational principles of medical ethics. This review features an overview of PFT, noninvasive ventilation strategies, novel and developing therapies, as well as the ethical considerations specific to the management of patients with pediatric NMD.

Ventilatory support at home for children: A joint position paper from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand/Australasian Sleep Association

The goal of this position paper on ventilatory support at home for children is to provide expert consensus from Australia and New Zealand on optimal care for children requiring ventilatory support at home, both non-invasive and invasive. It was compiled by members of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA). This document provides recommendations to support the development of improved services for Australian and New Zealand children who require long-term ventilatory support. Issues relevant to providers of equipment and areas of research need are highlighted.

Outcomes of Long-term Non-invasive Ventilation Use in Children with Neuromuscular Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether children with neuromuscular disorders using long-term non-invasive ventilation, continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure, have improved health outcomes compared to alternative treatment strategies.

DATA SOURCES

This systematic review is an extension of a scoping review. The search strategy used Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms for "child" and "non-invasive ventilation." Studies of humans from 1990 onward were searched in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (Ebsco), Cochrane Library (Wiley), and PubMed. The results were reviewed for articles reporting on neuromuscular disorders and health outcomes including mortality, hospitalization, quality of life, lung function, sleep study parameters, and healthcare costs.

DATA EXTRACTION

Extracted data included study design, study duration, sample size, age, type of non-invasive ventilation, follow-up period, primary disease, and primary and secondary outcome measures. Studies were grouped by primary disease into 3 groups: spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and other/multiple neuromuscular diseases.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 50 articles including 1412 children across 36 different neuromuscular disorders are included in the review. Mortality is lower for children using long-term non-invasive ventilation compared to supportive care across all neuromuscular disease types. Overall, mortality does not differ when comparing the use of non-invasive ventilation to invasive mechanical ventilation though heterogeneity suggests that mortality with non-invasive ventilation is higher for spinal muscular atropy type-1 and lower for other/multiple neuromuscular diseases. The impact of long-term non-invasive ventilation on hospitalization rate differed by neuromuscular disease type with lower rates compared to invasive mechanical ventilation but higher rates compared to invasive mechanical ventilation use for spinal muscular atrophy type 1, and lower rates compared to before NIV for other/multiple neuromuscular diseases. Overall, lung function was unaltered and sleep study parameters were improved from baseline by long-term non-invasive ventilation use. There are few data to assess the impact of long-term non-invasive ventilation use on quality of life and healthcare costs.

CONCLUSION

Long-term non-invasive ventilation for children provides benefit for mortality, hospitalizations, and sleep study parameters for some sub-groups of children with neuromuscular disorders. High risk of bias and low study quality preclude strong conclusions.

Evolution of Pediatric Home Mechanical Ventilation Program in Serbia-What Has Changed in the Last Decade

Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is a method of treatment in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and alveolar hypoventilation regardless of primary disease. The goal of the study was to describe the changes in the HMV program in Serbia during the last two decades. Cross-sectional retrospective study included data from the national HMV database from 2001 until 2019. HMV was initiated in clinically stable patients after the failure to wean from mechanical ventilation succeeded acute respiratory deterioration or electively after the confirmation of SDB and alveolar hypoventilation by sleep study or continuous transcutaneous capnometry and oximetry. The study included 105 patients (50 ventilated noninvasively and 55 ventilated invasively via tracheostomy). The median age at the time of HMV initiation was 6.2 years (range: 0.3-18 years). Invasive ventilation had been initiated significantly earlier than noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (p < 0.01), without difference in duration of ventilatory support (p = 0.95). Patients on NIV were significantly older (p < 0.01) than those ventilated invasively (13 and 1.5 years, respectively). Average waiting time on equipment had been shortened significantly-from 6.3 months until 2010 to 1 month at the end of the study (p < 0.01). Only 6.6% of patients had obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) requiring HMV. During the study period, 24% patients died, mostly due to uncontrolled infection or progression of underlying disease. Availability and shortened waiting time for the equipment accompanied by advanced overall health care led to substantial improvements in the national HMV program. However, future improvements should be directed to systematic evaluation of SDB in patients with OSAS, early diagnosis of nocturnal hypoventilation, and subsequent timely initiation of chronic ventilation.

Noninvasive Ventilation and Mechanical Insufflator-Exsufflator for Acute Respiratory Failure in Children With Neuromuscular Disorders

Children with neuromuscular disorder (NMD) usually have pulmonary involvement characterized by weakened respiratory muscles, insufficient coughing, and inability to clear airway secretions. When suffering from community-acquired pneumonia, these patients are more likely to develop acute respiratory failure (ARF). Therefore, recurrent pneumonias leading to acute on chronic respiratory failure accounts for a common cause of mortality in children with NMD. For many years, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been regarded as a life-prolonging tool and has been used as the preferred intervention for treating chronic hypoventilation in patients with advanced NMD. However, an increasing number of studies have proposed the utility of NIV as first-line management for acute on chronic respiratory failure in NMD patients. The benefits of NIV support in acute settings include avoiding invasive mechanical ventilation, shorter intensive care unit or hospital stays, facilitation of extubation, and improved overall survival. As the difficulty in clearing respiratory secretions is considered a significant risk factor attributing to NIV failure, combined coughing assistance of mechanical insufflator-exsufflator (MI-E) with NIV has been recommended the treatment of acute neuromuscular respiratory failure. Several recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of combined NIV and MI-E in treating ARF of children with NMD in acute care settings. However, to date, only one randomized controlled study has investigated the efficacy of NIV in childhood ARF, but subjects with underlying NMD were excluded. It reflects the need for more studies to elaborate evidence-based practice, especially the combined NIV and MI-E use in children with acute neuromuscular respiratory failure. In this article, we will review the feasibility, effectiveness, predictors of outcome, and perspectives of novel applications of combined NIV and MI-E in the treatment of ARF in NMD children.

Polysomnography findings in pediatric spinal muscular atrophy types 1-3

BACKGROUND

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) causes sleep disturbance and daytime symptoms in children with neuromuscular disorders. Although polysomnography (PSG) findings are well described in many neuromuscular disorders, there are limited reports from children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The aim of this study was to determine the sleep architecture and breathing characteristics and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) use in our pediatric SMA cohort.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study of all children with SMA in Queensland, Australia. Children were Nusinersen naïve and had a full diagnostic PSG in 2018. The PSG was scored and reported by a single pediatric sleep physician in accordance with American Academy of Sleep Medicine Criteria (2012).

RESULTS

In sum, 31 children (18 males), Six with Type 1, 16 with Type 2 and nine with Type 3, aged 0.25-18.8 years old were studied. SDB was seen in each SMA type and was more pronounced during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Type 1: all patients exhibited SDB, three (50%) with central sleep apnea (CSA) and three (50%) with mixed disease. Type 2: five (31%) had CSA, one (6%) mixed disease, seven (44%) had early SDB and three (19%) had normal sleep breathing. Type 3: four (44%) children had CSA and five had early SDB. No child exhibited obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) alone.Starting NIV significantly reduced mean total PSG Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) scores from a grouped mean of 15.4 events per hour (SD ± 14.6; 95% CI 6.1-24.7) to 4.0 events per hour (SD ± 4.2, 95% CI 1.2-6.5, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

SDB is common in children with SMA and was present in all types. CSA was the most common disorder; with mixed SDB also present in type 1 and 2 SMA.

Parent, Child and Physiotherapist Perceptions of Effectiveness of Parent Performed Manually Assisted Cough on Children With Neuromuscular Disease

Published research exploring confidence and perceptions of effectiveness in performing a manually assisted cough on children with neuromuscular disease is not available. This descriptive study aimed to describe confidence and perceived effectiveness of parents, children, and therapists in parent performed manually assisted cough. A total of 28 children with neuromuscular disease, one of their parents, and physiotherapist participated. Overall, 40% of parents, 52% of children, and 46% of therapists were very confident in parents’ ability to perform effective manually assisted coughs. Parents, children, and therapists largely perceived the parental manually assisted coughs as somewhat effective (68%, 60%, and 57%, respectively). Approximately, half of parents (48%), children (52%), and therapists (50%) felt very confident in parents’ ability to retain the technique between clinic visits. Interestingly, percentage agreement statistics indicate that a reasonable proportion (30%) of pairs of respondents did not agree in their ratings. Overall, high percentages of favourable ratings were noted for all questions.

The role of sleep diagnostics and non-invasive ventilation in children with spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a degenerative motor neurone disorder causing progressive muscular weakness. Without assisted ventilation or novel therapies, most children with SMA type 1 die before the second year of life due to respiratory failure as the respiratory muscles and bulbar function are severely affected. Active respiratory treatment (mechanically assisted cough, invasive or non-invasive ventilation) has improved survival significantly in recent decades, but often at the cost of becoming ventilator dependent. The advent of a new oligonucleotide based therapy (Nusinersen) has created new optimism for improving motor function. However, the long-term effect on respiratory function is unclear and non-invasive respiratory support will remain an important part of medical management in patients with SMA. This review summarises the existing knowledge about sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory failure in patients with SMA, especially type 1, as well as the evidence of improved outcome and survival in patients treated with non-invasive or invasive ventilation. Practical considerations and ethical concerns are delineated with discussion on how these may be affected by the advent of new therapies such as Nusinersen.

Long-term Non-Invasive Ventilation in Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to treat sleep and breathing disorders in children has increased substantially in the last decade; however, less data exist about its use in infants. Given that infants have distinct sleep and breathing patterns when compared to older children, the outcomes of infants on long-term NIV may differ as well. The aim of this study is to systematically review the use and outcomes of long-term NIV in infants.

METHODS

Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, CINAHL (via EbscoHOST), PubMed, and Wiley Cochrane Library were systematically searched from January 1990 to July 2017. Studies on infants using long-term NIV outside of an acute care setting were included. Data were extracted on study design, population characteristics, and NIV outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 327 studies were full-text reviewed, with final inclusion of 60. Studies were distributed across airway (40%), neuromuscular (28%), central nervous system (10%), cardio-respiratory (2%), and multiple (20%) disease categories. Of the 18 airway studies reporting on NIV outcomes, 13 (72%) reported improvements in respiratory parameters. Of the 12 neuromuscular studies exclusively on spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), six (50%) reported decreased hospitalizations and nine (75%) reported on mortality outcomes. Risk of bias was moderate to serious, and quality of the evidence was low to very low for all studies. Most studies had an observational design with no control group, limiting the potential for a meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

The outcomes reported in studies differed by the disease category being studied. Studies on airway conditions showed improvements in respiratory parameters for infants using NIV. Studies on neuromuscular disorder, which were almost exclusively on SMA1, reported decreased hospitalizations and prolonged survival. Overall, it appears that NIV is an effective long-term therapy for infants. However, the high risk of bias and low quality of the available evidence limited strong conclusions.

Thirteen years of invasive and noninvasive home ventilation for children in a developing country: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Home ventilation (HV) for children is growing rapidly worldwide. The aim was to describe (1) the sociodemographic characteristics of children on HV and (2) the indications for, means and outcome of initiating HV in children from a developing country.

METHODOLOGY

This retrospective study included patients sent home on noninvasive or invasive ventilation, over 13 years, by the pediatric respiratory unit in a single center. Children who declined treatment were excluded.

RESULTS

Seventy children were initiated on HV: 85.7% on noninvasive ventilation, 14.3% on invasive ventilation. There was about a threefold increase from 2001-2008 (n = 18) to 2009-2014 (n = 52). Median (range) age of initiating HV was 11 (1-169) months and 73% of children were <2 years old. Common indications for HV were respiratory (57.2%), chest/spine anomalies (11.4%), and neuromuscular (10.0%). Fifty-two percent came off their devices with a median (interquartile range) usage duration of 12 (4.8, 21.6) months. Ten children (14.3%) died with one avoidable death. Children with neuromuscular disease were less likely to come off their ventilator (0.0%) compared to children with respiratory disease (62.1%). Forty-one percent of parents bought their equipment, whereas 58.6% borrowed their equipment from the medical social work department and other sources.

CONCLUSION

HV in a resource-limited country is possible. Children with respiratory disease made up a significant proportion of those requiring HV and were more likely to be weaned off. The mortality rate was low. The social work department played an important role in facilitating early discharge. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:500-507. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Biphasic cuirass ventilation for treatment of an air leak after pneumothorax in a patient with nemaline myopathy: a case report

We describe an 11-year-old boy with nemaline myopathy who developed tension pneumothorax while undergoing noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV). The patient developed a persistent air leak after pleurodesis with minocycline hydrochloride and lowering of the NIPPV inspiratory pressure. He required additional respiratory support without the high airway pressures that may aggravate pneumothorax. We provided adequate respiratory support without increasing the positive airway pressure using biphasic cuirass ventilation (BCV), which moved the patient's chest wall by negative pressure. The air leak was resolved without any additional treatment. We should provide BCV for patients in whom surgery may have a risk of both extubation failure and postoperative complications before deciding on surgery.

Evidence of hypoxic tolerance in weak upper airway muscle from young mdx mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease characterised by deficiency in the protein dystrophin. The respiratory system is weakened and patients suffer from sleep disordered breathing and hypoventilation culminating in periods of hypoxaemia. We examined the effects of an acute (6h) hypoxic stress on sternohyoid muscle function (representative pharyngeal dilator). 8 week old male, wild-type (WT; C57BL/10ScSnJ; n=18) and mdx (C57BL/10ScSn-Dmd(mdx)/J; n=16) mice were exposed to sustained hypoxia (FIO2=0.10) or normoxia. Muscle functional properties were examined ex vivo. Additional WT (n=5) and mdx (n=5) sternohyoid muscle was exposed to an anoxic challenge. Sternohyoid dysfunction was observed in mdx mice with significant reductions in force and power. Following exposure to the acute in vivo hypoxic stress, WT sternohyoid muscle showed evidence of functional impairment (reduced force, work and power). Conversely, mdx sternohyoid showed an apparent tolerance to the acute hypoxic stress. This tolerance was not maintained for mdx following a severe hypoxic stress. A dysfunctional upper airway muscle phenotype is present at 8 weeks of age in the mdx mouse, which may have implications for the control of airway patency in DMD. Hypoxic tolerance in mdx respiratory muscle is suggestive of adaptation to chronic hypoxia, which could be present due to respiratory morbidity. We speculate a role for hypoxia in mdx respiratory muscle morbidity.

Long term non-invasive ventilation in children: impact on survival and transition to adult care

Background

The number of children receiving domiciliary ventilatory support has grown over the last few decades driven largely by the introduction and widening applications of non-invasive ventilation. Ventilatory support may be used with the intention of increasing survival, or to facilitate discharge home and/or to palliate symptoms. However, the outcome of this intervention and the number of children transitioning to adult care as a consequence of longer survival is not yet clear.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we analysed the outcome in children (<17 years) started on home NIV at Royal Brompton Hospital over an 18 year period 1993-2011. The aim was to establish for different diagnostic groups: survival rate, likelihood of early death depending on diagnosis or discontinuation of ventilation, and the proportion transitioning to adult care.

Results

496 children were commenced on home non invasive ventilation; follow-up data were available in 449 (91%). Fifty six per cent (n=254) had neuromuscular disease. Ventilation was started at a median age (IQR) 10 (3-15) years. Thirteen percent (n=59) were less than 1 year old. Forty percent (n=181) have transitioned to adult care. Twenty four percent (n=109) of patients have died, and nine percent (n=42) were able to discontinue ventilatory support.

Conclusion

Long term ventilation is associated with an increase in survival in a range of conditions leading to ventilatory failure in children, resulting in increasing numbers surviving to adulthood. This has significant implications for planning transition and adult care facilities.

The value of non-invasive ventilation

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) use has increased markedly over the last 10 years. Children being treated with NIV are now a common sight in most paediatric intensive care units and high dependency units and nearly all tertiary respiratory units will look after a cohort of children who use NIV at home. Although the published evidence base for use of NIV in acute and chronic respiratory failure is relatively weak, it is now very unlikely that there will be any more randomised controlled trials of this intervention. Effectiveness of NIV will need to be evaluated on each child as it used. It is important to define the purpose of using NIV in each child, and then determine whether it is effective.

Non-pharmaceutical management of respiratory morbidity in children with severe global developmental delay

BACKGROUND

Children with severe global developmental delay (SGDD) have significant intellectual disability and severe motor impairment; they are extremely limited in their functional movement and are dependent upon others for all activities of daily living. SGDD does not directly cause lung dysfunction, but the combination of immobility, weakness, skeletal deformity and parenchymal damage from aspiration can lead to significant prevalence of respiratory illness. Respiratory pathology is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for children with SGDD; it can result in frequent hospital admissions and impacts upon quality of life. Although many treatment approaches are available, there currently exists no comprehensive review of the literature to inform best practice. A broad range of treatment options exist; to focus the scope of this review and allow in-depth analysis, we have excluded pharmaceutical interventions.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of non-pharmaceutical treatment modalities for the management of respiratory morbidity in children with severe global developmental delay.

SEARCH METHODS

We conducted comprehensive searches of the following databases from inception to November 2013: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). We searched the Web of Science and clinical trials registries for grey literature and for planned, ongoing and unpublished trials. We checked the reference lists of all primary included studies for additional relevant references.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials, controlled trials and cohort studies of children up to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of severe neurological impairment and respiratory morbidity were included. Studies of airways clearance techniques, suction, assisted coughing, non-invasive ventilation, tracheostomy and postural management were eligible for inclusion.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures as expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. As the result of heterogeneity, we could not perform meta-analysis. We have therefore presented our results using a narrative approach.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifteen studies were included in the review. Studies included children with a range of severe neurological impairments in differing settings, for example, home and critical care. Several different treatment modalities were assessed, and a wide range of outcome measures were used. Most studies used a non-randomised design and included small sample groups. Only four randomised controlled trials were identified. Non-randomised design, lack of information about how participants were selected and who completed outcome measures and incomplete reporting led to high or unclear risk of bias in many studies. Results from low-quality studies suggest that use of non-invasive ventilation, mechanically assisted coughing, high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO), positive expiratory pressure and supportive seating may confer potential benefits. No serious adverse effects were reported for ventilatory support or airway clearance interventions other than one incident in a clinically unstable child following mechanically assisted coughing. Night-time positioning equipment and spinal bracing were shown to have a potentially negative effect for some participants. However, these findings must be considered as tentative and require testing in future randomised trials.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review found no high-quality evidence for any single intervention for the management of respiratory morbidity in children with severe global developmental delay. Our search yielded data on a wide range of interventions of interest. Significant differences in study design and in outcome measures precluded the possibility of meta-analysis. No conclusions on efficacy or safety of interventions for respiratory morbidity in children with severe global developmental delay can be made based upon the findings of this review.A co-ordinated approach to future research is vital to ensure that high-quality evidence becomes available to guide treatment for this vulnerable patient group.

Continuous negative extrathoracic pressure or continuous positive airway pressure compared to conventional ventilation for acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure in children

BACKGROUND

Acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children. Positive pressure ventilation is currently the standard care, however, it does have complications. Continuous negative extrathoracic pressure (CNEP) ventilation or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation delivered via non-invasive approaches (Ni-CPAP) have shown certain beneficial effects in animal and uncontrolled human studies.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of CNEP or Ni-CPAP compared to conventional ventilation in children (at least one month old and less than 18 years of age) with AHRF due to non-cardiogenic causes for improving the mortality or morbidity associated with AHRF.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL 2013, Issue 6, MEDLINE (January 1966 to June week 3, 2013), EMBASE (1980 to July 2013) and CINAHL (1982 to July 2013).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials of CNEP or Ni-CPAP versus standard therapy (including positive pressure ventilation) involving children (from one month old to less than 18 years at time of randomisation) who met the criteria for diagnosis of AHRF with at least one of the outcomes reported.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We assessed risk of bias of the included studies using allocation concealment, blinding of intervention, completeness of follow-up and blinding of outcome measurements. We abstracted data on relevant outcomes and estimated the effect size by calculating risk ratio (RR) and risk difference (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

We identified two eligible studies: one of CPAP and one of CNEP (published as an abstract). Both were unblinded studies with mainly unclear risk of bias due to lack of adequate information to assess this. The CPAP study enrolled 37 children to oxygen mask and CPAP and reported improvement in respiratory rate and oxygen saturation in both arms after 30 minutes of application. The CNEP study was published as an abstract and included 33 infants with bronchiolitis. In the CNEP study there was a reduction in the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (less than 30% within one hour of initiation of therapy) in four participants in the CNEP group compared to none in the control group (RR 10.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 183.9). One infant required CPAP and mechanical ventilation in the control group while all infants in the CNEP group were managed without intubation (RR for both outcomes 0.40, 95% CI 0.02 to 9.06). None of the trials reported on mortality. No adverse events were reported in ether of the included trials.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of well-designed, controlled trials of non-invasive modes of respiratory support in children with AHRF. Studies assessing the outcomes mortality, avoidance of intubation and its associated complications, hospital stay and patient comfort are needed.

Respiratory care in neuromuscular disorders

In neuromuscular disorders beginning in childhood, the involvement of respiratory muscles is common. Deterioration of respiratory function occurs insidiously, contributes to significant morbidity, and is often responsible for mortality. Since symptoms of respiratory involvement are not obvious, especially in the presence of maintained ambulation, respiratory failure must be systematically searched for in order to allow early care. The key to care of respiratory problems in neuromuscular disorders is a preventive approach. Careful monitoring of symptoms, regular assessment of pulmonary function, appropriate presurgical management, and aggressive treatment of respiratory infections must be considered a standard of care.

Sleep-disordered breathing in children with congenital muscular dystrophies

OBJECTIVE

Most types of neuromuscular diseases are known to be associated with a high risk of sleep-disordered breathing. We performed a prospective study in a well individualized group of muscular disorders, congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD), to characterize the frequency of sleep-disordered breathing and thereby to determine the potential usefulness of sleep studies in such patients.

METHODS

Twenty CMD children (12 F, 8 M, aged 4-17 years) were included. Using overnight polysomnography, we determined the following parameters: sleep stages, sleep latency, sleep efficiency index, wake time duration, total sleep time (TST), apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), arterial blood oxygen saturation, and nocturnal paroxysmal EEG activity.

RESULTS

As compared to healthy controls, we detected in our study group frequent awakenings, a decreased TST (mean 448 ± 44.4 min) and a decreased REM duration (mean 11.5 ± 3.5% of TST). Significant increase in wake time duration (28-90 min) and decrease in REM duration were observed in 12 patients. An apnea/hypopnea syndrome was detected in 13 patients (65%) with central apneas in 8, obstructive apneas in 2 and 3 mixed apneas in 3 patients. AHI was >10 in 3 cases, <10> 5 in 4 cases and were concomitant with blood oxygen de-saturation in four cases. NPA were detected in 10 patients ranging from 10 to 40% of TST.

INTERPRETATION

Our results confirm the high incidence of sleep disordered breathing in children with CMD, and thereby, the usefulness of overnight polysomnography recordings in such patients.

Increasing prevalence of domiciliary ventilation: changes in service demand and provision in the South West of the UK

We examine the incidence and prevalence of domiciliary ventilation in the South West region of the UK, assess trends over 15 years, and describe patient outcome. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients below 18 years receiving domiciliary ventilation in the South West region of the UK between January 1994 and August 2009. Children who received long-term ventilation solely in hospital were excluded from the study. Information was obtained from a locally held database, medical notes, and hospital administration systems. One hundred-six patients were identified. Prevalence has increased since 1994 from 0.2 to 6.7 per 100,000 children. The incidence of both invasive and non-invasive ventilations has increased with a trend towards more non-invasive therapy. The commonest underlying disorders were airway pathology (37 patients), neuromuscular disease (34 patients), and central congenital hypoventilation disorder (17 patients). Sixty-seven patients had significant co-morbidities. Of 38 non-current patients, 19 were transferred to adult ventilation services, 11 died, and 6 were successfully weaned from ventilatory support. In conclusion, there has been a 30-fold increase in the prevalence of paediatric domiciliary ventilation, in the South West region of the UK, since 1994. Co-morbidities are common. Very few children discontinue long-term ventilation, and increasing numbers of ventilated children are transferred to adult services.

Long-term home ventilation of children in Italy: a national survey

BACKGROUND

Improved technology, as well as professional and parental awareness, enable many ventilator-dependent children to live at home. However, the profile of this growing population, the quality and adequacy of home care, and patients' needs still require thorough assessment.

OBJECTIVES

To define the characteristics of Italian children receiving long-term home mechanical ventilation (HMV) in Italy.

METHODS

A detailed questionnaire was sent to 302 National Health Service hospitals potentially involved in the care of HVM in children (aged <17 years). Information was collected on patient characteristics, type of ventilation, and home respiratory care.

RESULTS

A total of 362 HMV children was identified. The prevalence was 4.2 per 100,000 (95% CI: 3.8-4.6), median age was 8 years (interquartile range 4-14), median age at starting mechanical ventilation was 4 years (1-11), and 56% were male. The most frequent diagnostic categories were neuromuscular disorders (49%), lung and upper respiratory tract diseases (18%), hypoxic (ischemic) encephalopathy (13%), and abnormal ventilation control (12%). Medical professionals with nurses (for 62% of children) and physiotherapists (20%) participated in the patients' discharge from hospital, though parents were the primary care giver, and in 47% of cases, the sole care giver. Invasive ventilation was used in 41% and was significantly related to young age, southern regional residence, longer time spent under mechanical ventilation, neuromuscular disorders, or hypoxic (ischemic) encephalopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Care and technical assistance of long-term HMV children need assessment, planning, and resources. A wide variability in pattern of HMV was found throughout Italy. An Italian national ventilation program, as well as a national registry, could be useful in improving the care of these often critically ill children.

Noninvasive ventilation in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit in a middle-income country

OBJECTIVE

To determine the factors that predict outcome of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in critically ill children.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Multidisciplinary pediatric intensive care unit of a university hospital in Malaysia.

PATIENTS

Patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit from July 2004 to December 2006 for respiratory support due to acute respiratory failure and those extubated from invasive mechanical ventilation.

INTERVENTIONS

NIV was used as an alternative means of respiratory support for all children. In patients who had prior invasive mechanical ventilation, NIV was used to facilitate extubation, or it was used after a failed extubation. The children were assigned to the nonresponders group (intubation was needed) or responders group (intubation was avoided totally or for at least 5 days). The physiologic variables were monitored before, at 6 hrs, and 24 hrs of NIV.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 278 patients, 129 were admissions for management of acute respiratory failure and 149 patients received NIV to facilitate extubation (n = 98) or for a failed extubation (n = 48). Their median age and weight were 8.7 months (interquartile range, 3.1-33.1 months) and 5.5 kg (interquartile range, 3.3-10.8 kg), respectively. Intubation was avoided for > 5 days in 79.1% (n = 220). No significant difference in age or weight of responders and nonresponders was observed. The cardiorespiratory variables in all patients improved, but significant differences between the two groups were noted at 6 hrs and 24 hrs after NIV.

CONCLUSIONS

NIV was a feasible strategy of respiratory support to avoid intubation in > 75% of children in this study. A higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality II score, sepsis at initiation of NIV, an abnormal respiratory rate, and a higher requirement of Fio2 may be predictive factors of NIV failure.

Consensus statement on standard of care for congenital muscular dystrophies

Congenital muscular dystrophies are a group of rare neuromuscular disorders with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes. Recent advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of congenital muscular dystrophy have enabled better diagnosis. However, medical care for patients with congenital muscular dystrophy remains very diverse. Advances in many areas of medical technology have not been adopted in clinical practice. The International Standard of Care Committee for Congenital Muscular Dystrophy was established to identify current care issues, review literature for evidence-based practice, and achieve consensus on care recommendations in 7 areas: diagnosis, neurology, pulmonology, orthopedics/rehabilitation, gastroenterology/ nutrition/speech/oral care, cardiology, and palliative care. To achieve consensus on the care recommendations, 2 separate online surveys were conducted to poll opinions from experts in the field and from congenital muscular dystrophy families. The final consensus was achieved in a 3-day workshop conducted in Brussels, Belgium, in November 2009. This consensus statement describes the care recommendations from this committee.

Best clinical practices for the sleep center adjustment of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in stable chronic alveolar hypoventilation syndromes

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) devices are used during sleep to treat patients with diurnal chronic alveolar hypoventilation (CAH). Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) using a mask interface is the most commonly used method to provide ventilatory support in these patients. BPAP devices deliver separately adjustable inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). The IPAP and EPAP levels are adjusted to maintain upper airway patency, and the pressure support (PS = IPAP-EPAP) augments ventilation. NPPV devices can be used in the spontaneous mode (the patient cycles the device from EPAP to IPAP), the spontaneous timed (ST) mode (a backup rate is available to deliver IPAP for the set inspiratory time if the patient does not trigger an IPAP/EPAP cycle within a set time window), and the timed (T) mode (inspiratory time and respiratory rate are fxed). During NPPV titration with polysomnography (PSG), the pressure settings, backup rate, and inspiratory time (if applicable) are adjusted to maintain upper airway patency and support ventilation. However, there are no widely available guidelines for the titration of NPPV in the sleep center. A NPPV Titration Task Force of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reviewed the available literature and developed recommendations based on consensus and published evidence when available. The major recommendations derived by this consensus process are as follows: General Recommendations: 1. The indications, goals of treatment, and side effects of NPPV treatment should be discussed in detail with the patient prior to the NPPV titration study. 2. Careful mask fitting and a period of acclimatization to low pressure prior to the titration should be included as part of the NPPV protocol. 3. NPPV titration with PSG is the recommended method to determine an effective level of nocturnal ventilatory support in patients with CAH. In circumstances in which NPPV treatment is initiated and adjusted empirically in the outpatient setting based on clinical judgment, a PSG should be utilized if possible to confirm that the final NPPV settings are effective or to make adjustments as necessary. 4. NPPV treatment goals should be individualized but typically include prevention of worsening of hypoventilation during sleep, improvement in sleep quality, relief of nocturnal dyspnea, and providing respiratory muscle rest. 5. When OSA coexists with CAH, pressure settings for treatment of OSA may be determined during attended NPPV titration PSG following AASM Clinical Guidelines for the Manual Titration of Positive Airway Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. 6. Attended NPPV titration with PSG is the recommended method to identify optimal treatment pressure settings for patients with the obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), CAH due to restrictive chest wall disease (RTCD), and acquired or central CAH syndromes in whom NPPV treatment is indicated. 7. Attended NPPV titration with PSG allows definitive identification of an adequate level of ventilatory support for patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) in whom NPPV treatment is planned. Recommendations for NPPV Titration Equipment: 1. The NPPV device used for titration should have the capability of operating in the spontaneous, spontaneous timed, and timed mode. 2. The airflow, tidal volume, leak, and delivered pressure signals from the NPPV device should be monitored and recorded if possible. The airflow signal should be used to detect apnea and hypopnea, while the tidal volume signal and respiratory rate are used to assess ventilation. 3. Transcutaneous or end-tidal PCO2 may be used to adjust NPPV settings if adequately calibrated and ideally validated with arterial blood gas testing. 4. An adequate assortment of masks (nasal, oral, and oronasal) in both adult and pediatric sizes (if children are being titrated), a source of supplemental oxygen, and heated humidification should be available. Recommendations for Limits of IPAP, EPAP, and PS Settings: 1. The recommended minimum starting IPAP and EPAP should be 8 cm H2O and 4 cm H2O, respectively. 2. The recommended maximum IPAP should be 30 cm H2O for patients > or = 12 years and 20 cm H2O for patients < 12 years. 3. The recommended minimum and maximum levels of PS are 4 cm H2O and 20 cm H2O, respectively. 4. The minimum and maximum incremental changes in PS should be 1 and 2 cm H2O, respectively. Recommendations for Adjustment of IPAP, EPAP, and PS: 1. IPAP and/or EPAP should be increased as described in AASM Clinical Guidelines for the Manual Titration of Positive Airway Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea until the following obstructive respiratory events are eliminated (no specific order): apneas, hypopneas, respiratory effort-related arousals, and snoring. 2. The pressure support (PS) should be increased every 5 minutes if the tidal volume is low (< 6 to 8 mL/kg) 3. The PS should be increased if the arterial PCO2 remains 10 mm Hg or more above the PCO, goal at the current settings for 10 minutes or more. An acceptable goal for PCO, is a value less than or equal to the awake PCO2. 4. The PS may be increased if respiratory muscle rest has not been achieved by NPPV treatment at the current settings for 10 minutes of more. 5. The PS may be increased if the SpO, remains below 90% for 5 minutes or more and tidal volume is low (< 6 to 8 mL/kg). Recommendations for Use and Adjustment of the Backup Rate/ Respiratory Rate: 1. A backup rate (i.e., ST mode) should be used in all patients with central hypoventilation, those with a significant number of central apneas or an inappropriately low respiratory rate, and those who unreliably trigger IPAP/EPAP cycles due to muscle weakness. 2. The ST mode may be used if adequate ventilation or adequate respiratory muscle rest is not achieved with the maximum (or maximum tolerated) PS in the spontaneous mode. 3. The starting backup rate should be equal to or slightly less than the spontaneous sleeping respiratory rate (minimum of 10 bpm). 4. The backup rate should be increased in 1 to 2 bpm increments every 10 minutes if the desired goal of the backup rate has not been attained. 5. The IPAP time (inspiratory time) should be set based on the respiratory rate to provide an inspiratory time (IPAP time) between 30% and 40% of the cycle time (60/respiratory rate in breaths per minute). 6. If the spontaneous timed mode is not successful at meeting titration goals then the timed mode can be tried. Recommendations Concerning Supplemental Oxygen: 1. Supplemental oxygen may be added in patients with an awake SpO2 < 88% or when the PS and respiratory rate have been optimized but the SpO2 remains < 90% for 5 minutes or more. 2. The minimum starting supplemental oxygen rate should be 1 L/minute and increased in increments of 1 L/minute about every 5 minutes until an adequate SpO2 is attained (> 90%). Recommendations to Improve Patient Comfort and Patient-NPPV Device Synchrony: 1. If the patient awakens and complains that the IPAP and/or EPAP is too high, pressure should be lowered to a level comfortable enough to allow return to sleep. 2. NPPV device parameters (when available) such as pressure relief, rise time, maximum and minimum IPAP durations should be adjusted for patient comfort and to optimize synchrony between the patient and the NPPV device. 3. During the NPPV titration mask refit, adjustment, or change in mask type should be performed whenever any significant unintentional leak is observed or the patient complains of mask discomfort. If mouth leak is present and is causing significant symptoms (e.g., arousals) use of an oronasal mask or chin strap may be tried. Heated humidification should be added if the patient complains of dryness or significant nasal congestion. Recommendations for Follow-Up: 1. Close follow-up after initiation of NPPV by appropriately trained health care providers is indicated to establish effective utilization patterns, remediate side effects, and assess measures of ventilation and oxygenation to determine if adjustment to NPPV is indicated.

Diurnal hypercapnia in patients with neuromuscular disease

Subjects with progressive neuromuscular diseases undergo a typical sequence of respiratory compromise, leading from normal unassisted gas exchange to nocturnal hypoventilation with normal daytime gas exchange, and eventually to respiratory failure requiring continuous ventilatory support. Several different abnormalities in respiratory pump function have been described to explain the development of respiratory failure in subjects with neuromuscular weakness. Early in the progression of respiratory failure, the use of nocturnal assisted ventilation can reverse both night- and day-time hypercapnia. Eventually, however, diurnal hypercapnia will persist despite correction of nocturnal hypoventilation. The likely beneficial effects of mechanical ventilatory support include resting fatigue-prone respiratory muscles and resetting of the central chemoreceptors to PaCO(2). Recent experience shows that select patients who require daytime ventilation can be supported with non-invasive ventilation continuously to correct gas exchange abnormalities while avoiding detrimental aspects of tracheostomy placement.

A home respiratory support programme for children by parents and layperson carers

AIM

To describe a respiratory support programme for children at home by parents and layperson carers.

METHODS

Analysis of records of children with long-term mechanical respiratory support at home.

RESULTS

From 1979 to 2008 the programme managed 168 children (median age 7 years, range 3 weeks-19 years) with obstructive sleep apnoea (55, 32%), neuromuscular conditions (42, 25%), tracheo-bronchomalacia (23, 14%), kyphoscoliosis-cerebral palsy (20, 12%), acquired central hypoventilation (8, 5%), congenital central hypoventilation (7, 4%), chronic lung disease or pulmonary hypoplasia (8, 5%), traumatic quadriplegia (3, 2%) and tumour-related quadriplegia (2, 1%). One hundred and sixty-one (96%) were discharged: 73 (46%) remain in the programme; 27 (16%) transferred to adult services, 25 (15%) recovered and 36 (23%) died. Principal modes of therapy were mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) 35%, mask bilevel positive airway pressure 30%, tracheostomy CPAP 20%, tracheostomy mechanical ventilation 8%, phrenic nerve pacing 3%, negative pressure chamber ventilation 2% and nasal tube CPAP 2%. Two unexpected deaths occurred at home: one from accidental tracheostomy decannulation and another unrelated to respiratory support. Average time in the programme was 3.3 years. Parents of 69 children were provided with trained carers. Successful discharge resulted from early recognition of potential to discharge, parental training, recruitment and training of carers, purchase of equipment and secure funding. Seven children were not discharged, two of whom died in the hospital and five are subject to discharge planning.

CONCLUSION

Respiratory support of children at home by trained parents and layperson carers is safe and efficient. All modes of respiratory support may be used.

Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation in Pediatric Oncology Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure

The aim of the study was to describe our experience with bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation in oncology children with acute respiratory failure, hospitalized in a single tertiary pediatric tertiary center. This was a retrospective cohort study of all pediatric oncology patients in our center admitted to the intensive care unit with acute hypoxemic or hypercarbic respiratory failure from January 1999 through May 2006, who required mechanical ventilation with BiPAP. Fourteen patients met the inclusion criteria with a total of 16 events of respiratory failure or impending failure: 12 events were hypoxemic, 1 was combined hypercarbic and hypoxemic, and 3 had severe respiratory distress. Shortly after BiPAP ventilation initiation, there was a statistically significant improvement in the respiratory rate (40.4 ± 9.3 to 32.5 ± 10.1, P < .05] and a trend toward improvement in arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2; 71.3 ± 32.7 to 104.6 ± 45.6, P = .055). The improvement in the respiratory status was sustained for at least 12 hours. In 12 (75%) events there was a need for sedation during ventilation; 12 children needed inotropic support during the BiPAP ventilation. Bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation failed in 3 (21%) children who were switched to conventional ventilation. All of them have died during the following days. One child was recategorized to receive palliative care while on BiPAP ventilator and was not intubated. In 12 of 16 BiPAP interventions (75%; 11 patients), the children survived to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) discharge without invasive ventilation. No major complications were noted during BiPAP ventilation. Bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation is well tolerated in pediatric oncology patients suffering from acute respiratory failure and may offer noninferior outcomes compared with those previously described for conventional invasive ventilation. It appears to be a feasible initial option in children with malignancy experiencing acute respiratory failure.

Chronic respiratory failure and neuromuscular disease

The outlook for children with respiratory complications of neuromuscular disease has improved significantly in the past 15 years. This has been the result of many advances in clinical care, including improved monitoring of lung function and hypoventilation during sleep; coordinated respiratory care by experienced physicians with access to specialized respiratory services, especially physiotherapy; and, most importantly, the widespread introduction of noninvasive ventilation.

Use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in the emergency department

To optimize the successful use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) in the emergency department (ED), clinicians must acquire the necessary knowledge, experience, and skill in its proper application. The purpose of this article is to provide a concise but thorough review of the current state of knowledge relating to the proper application of NPPV pertaining to its use in the ED.

Parental stress and quality of life in children with neuromuscular disease

This study examined health-related quality of life and parental stress among pediatric neuromuscular patients with or without home mechanical ventilation. Parents completed the Parenting Stress Index or Stress Index for Parents of Adolescents, depending on their child's age. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory measured quality of life in children with neuromuscular disease. One hundred and nine families participated; 19 (17%) families had a child with neuromuscular disease requiring home mechanical ventilation. Overall, children on home mechanical ventilation had significantly lower mean total Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores than nonventilated children (47.9 versus 61.5, respectively; P = 0.013). No significant difference in mean total stress scores was found between parents of pediatric neuromuscular patients with or without home mechanical ventilation. Despite their child's lower health-related quality of life, parents of pediatric neuromuscular patients requiring home mechanical ventilation did not report significantly higher parental stress than parents of nonventilated children or parents in the normative sample. We postulated that for parents living with the constant demands of caring for their child with neuromuscular disease requiring home mechanical ventilation, these caretaking demands, over time, had become part of "normal" life and were not identified as creating additional stress.

Mechanical ventilation in Duchenne patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency: clinical implications of 20 years published experience

Chronic respiratory insufficiency is inevitable in the course of disease progression in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Without mechanical ventilation (MV), morbidity and mortality are highly likely towards the end of the second decade of life. The present review reports evidence and clinical implications regarding DMD patients treated with MV. There is no doubt that nocturnal hypercapnia precedes daytime hypercapnia. Historical comparisons have provided evidence that non-invasive intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) at night is effective and improves quality of life and survival by 5-10 years. By contrast, the optimal criteria and timing for initiation of NIPPV are inconsistent. A recent randomized study however demonstrated the benefits of commencing NIPPV as soon as nocturnal hypoventilation is detected (Ward S, et al., Randomised controlled trial of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for nocturnal hypoventilation in neuromuscular and chest wall disease patients with daytime normocapnia. Thorax 2005; 60: 1019-24). The respective role of the three hypotheses of the indirect action of nocturnal NIPPV on daytime blood gases may be complimentary; the main improvement may be due to improved ventilatory response to CO2. The ultimate time to offer full time ventilation with the most advantageous interface is lacking in evidence. Full time NIV is possible with a combination of a nasal mask during the night and a mouthpiece during the day, however tracheostomy may be provided when mechanical techniques of cough-assistance are useless to treat chronic cough insufficiency.

Continuous negative extrathoracic pressure or continuous positive airway pressure for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in children

BACKGROUND

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children. Positive pressure ventilation is currently the standard care, however, it does have complications. Continuous negative extrathoracic pressure ventilation (CNEP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation delivered via non-invasive approaches (Ni-CPAP) have shown certain beneficial effects in animal and uncontrolled human studies.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of CNEP or Ni-CPAP in pediatric patients with AHRF from non-cardiogenic causes.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 3); MEDLINE (January 1966 to July 2007); EMBASE (1980 to July 2007); CINAHL (1982 to July 2007); and published abstracts from the meetings of the American Thoracic Society and Pediatric Critical Care Meetings (1992 to 2007).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials of either CNEP or Ni-CPAP versus standard therapy (including positive pressure ventilation) involving children (at least 1 month old and less than 18 years of age at the time of randomization) who met the criteria for diagnosis of AHRF with at least one of the outcomes reported were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Risks of bias of the included study was assessed using: concealment of allocation, blinding of intervention, completeness of follow up and blinding of outcome measurements. Data on relevant outcomes were abstracted and the effect size was estimated by calculating relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and risk difference (RD).

MAIN RESULTS

One eligible study published in an abstract format was identified. It studied 33 infants (18 controls, 15 receiving CNEP) with a clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO(2)) > 40% were studied. This allowed a reduction in the FiO(2) (< 30% within one hour of initiation of therapy) in four patients in the CNEP group compared to none in the control group (RR 10.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 183.9). One infant required CPAP and one infant required nasal CPAP in the control group while all infants in the CNEP group were managed without intubation (RR for both outcomes 0.40, 95% CI 0.02 to 9.06).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of well designed, controlled experiments of non-invasive modes of respiratory support in children with AHRF. Reduction of in-hospital mortality is an important outcome and even a small reduction would be beneficial. Studies assessing other outcomes such as avoidance of intubation and its associated complications, reduction in hospital stay and improvement in patient comfort are also valuable in gauging the overall impact of these strategies.

Non-invasive ventilation reduces respiratory tract infections in children with neuromuscular disorders

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to improve gas exchange and survival in patients with chronic neuromuscular disorders. Little is known about its influence on respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Twenty-four patients with regular use of NIV and 11 patients without NIV with neuromuscular disorders answered a questionnaire concerning the use of NIV and assisted coughing techniques, the status of influenza and pneumococcus vaccination, and the frequency and severity of RTIs. Additionally, we performed a retrospective chart review of twelve patients who were ventilated over a period of at least 5 years. In the first year of NIV consultations of a general practitioner due to RTI decreased from 9.2+/-20.8 to 3.2+/-5.3 per year (P<0.005), the number of antibiotic treatment due to RTI decreased from 4.1+/-3.4 to 1.9+/-2.2 per year (P<0.005) and the number of hospital admissions due to RTI decreased from 1.6+/-1.7 to 0.7+/-1.3 per year (P<0.005). Vaccinations against influenza and/or pneumococcus did not have a significant influence on the rate of infections. In 12 patients using NIV for more than 5 years the incidence of RTI requiring hospital admission decreased from 0.54+/-0.41/year in the pre-ventilation period to 0.12+/-0.09/year in the NIV period (P<0.005). NIV had a favorable impact on respiratory infectious complications in children with neuromuscular disorders.

Paediatric home ventilatory support: the Auckland experience

OBJECTIVES

To examine the trend over time, describe the disease categories treated, intervention success and outcomes of the children treated at home with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and ventilation via tracheostomy (invasive ventilatory support, IVS) by the Respiratory Service at the Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland.

METHODS

A retrospective review was undertaken of the Respiratory Service records from November 1991 to February 2004.

RESULTS

Home CPAP, NIV or IVS was initiated in 160 children (89 boys, median age 6 years) in the study period. Sixty-nine (46 boys) remain on support and are still actively managed by the Starship Respiratory Service, of whom 46% live outside the Greater Auckland Region. Despite 42% of children being less than 5 years of age at initiation of therapy, institution of support failed in only 11%. The majority received treatment by non-invasive mask interface (68% (n = 108) CPAP, 29% (n = 47) NIV), with only 3% (n = 5) supported via tracheostomy. The numbers and complexity of support rose over the 12 years. Respiratory support was discontinued in 57% of cases, after a median of 12.5 months (range 3-52 months); in two-thirds, support was no longer required due to an improvement in the medical condition. The most common indication for support in current patients is respiratory parenchymal or airway disease followed by neuromuscular disease. Obesity is not a common indication.

CONCLUSION

This review documents the increasing trend in children receiving respiratory support at home. Future planning and resources are needed to address this growing need.

Predictive factors for the success of noninvasive mask ventilation in infants and children with acute respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE

Noninvasive mask ventilation (NIV) is a treatment option in acute respiratory failure in adults. This study was performed to determine prognostic variables for the success of NIV in a group of infants and children with respiratory failure for a wide range of reasons.

DESIGN

Prospective, clinical study.

SETTING

Multidisciplinary, neonatal-pediatric intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital.

METHODS

Descriptive study of infants and children <or=16 yrs of age with acute respiratory failure requiring assisted ventilation. During 2002-2003, patients with hypoxemic or hyper-carbic respiratory failure, signs of respiratory distress, and described by the attending critical care physician as likely to require intubation, were eligible to receive mask ventilation as an alternative means of respiratory support. Patients were not selected for their underlying disease contributing to the respiratory problems. Depending on whether they failed NIV and had to be intubated, the children were assigned to nonresponders or responders groups. The two groups were compared regarding physiologic variables prospectively evaluated before NIV and at 1, 8, 24, and 48 hrs of NIV.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients were included. Their median age was 2.45 yrs (range, 0.01-18 yrs). Twenty-one patients required mask ventilation only with continuous positive airway pressure and 21 with biphasic positive airway pressure. In both responders' and nonresponders' blood gas results, heart rate and respiratory rate improved significantly after initiation of NIV (p<.0001). The courses of these variables did not differentiate between the two groups. The overall success rate of NIV was 57%. After 1 hr of NIV, there was a significantly higher Fio2 in patients who failed NIV than in responders. An Fio2 of >80% after 1 hr of NIV predicted nonresponse with a sensitivity of 56%, specificity of 83%, and positive and negative predictive value of 71%.

CONCLUSION

NIV can be successfully applied to infants and children with acute respiratory failure in the setting of a pediatric intensive care unit. The level of Fio2 after 1 hr of NIV may be a predictive factor for the treatment success.

Sleep-related breathing disorder in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: disease spectrum in the paediatric population

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease with death usually occurring because of respiratory failure. Signs of early respiratory insufficiency are usually first detectable in sleep.

OBJECTIVE

To study the presentation of sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) in patients with DMD.

METHOD

A retrospective review of patients with DMD attending a tertiary paediatric sleep disorder clinic over a 5-year period. Symptoms, lung function and polysomnographic indices were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients with DMD were referred for respiratory assessment (1-15 years). Twenty-two (64%) reported sleep-related symptomatology. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was between 12 and 107% predicted (n = 29). Thirty-two progressed to have polysomnography of which 15 were normal studies (median age: 10 years) and 10 (31%) were diagnostic of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) (median age: 8 years). A total of 11 patients (32%) showed hypoventilation (median age: 13 years) during the 5-year period and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was offered to them. The median FVC of this group was 27% predicted. There was a significant improvement in the apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) (mean difference = 11.31, 95% CI = 5.91-16.70, P = 0.001) following the institution of NIV.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of SRBD in DMD is significant. There is a bimodal presentation of SRBD, with OSA found in the first decade and hypoventilation more commonly seen at the beginning of the second decade. Polysomnography is recommended in children with symptoms of OSA, or at the stage of becoming wheelchair-bound. In patients with the early stages of respiratory failure, assessment with polysomnography-identified sleep hypoventilation and assisted in initiating NIV.

Hospitalist care of the medically complex child

The nature of inpatient pediatrics is changing. Over the past decade, several factors have converged to influence the kinds of children currently being hospitalized. There has been a shift in the relative proportion of otherwise healthy children with acute illnesses being hospitalized to children with increasing medical complexity. This article focuses on hospitalist care of medically complex children and provides an overview on (1) the challenges in defining this population, (2) the unique issues surrounding their inpatient care (using a family-centered care approach that includes coordinated care, minimizing secondary complications, nutritional needs, functional limitations, transdisciplinary collaboration, and primary care issues), (3) technology devices commonly found, and (4) a proposal for a research agenda regarding medically complex children.

Acute and chronic paediatric intensive care patients: current trends and perspectives on resource utilization

BACKGROUND

Advances in paediatric critical care have resulted in increased survival of critically ill patients, many of whom require long-term ventilation as a means of life support.

AIM

To determine current trends in resource utilization, and problems in the care of acute and chronic paediatric intensive care patients.

DESIGN

Open observational study.

METHODS

We evaluated consecutive admissions (n = 1629) to a 10-bed paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) over a 5-year period. Three previously defined criteria for resource utilization were used: mean length of stay (LOS); length of mechanical ventilation (LOMV); and LOMV/LOS ratio.

RESULTS

A total of 10 310 patient bed days and 5223 ventilator days were used. Mean LOS increased from 5.3 +/- 12 days in 1998 to 8.7 +/- 27 days in 2001 (p < 0.05). Although LOMV/LOS ratio (50.7%) was significantly correlated with Paediatric Risk of Mortality score (p < 0.0001), there was no significant change in mortality rate (12.6% vs. 12%). Patients hospitalized for >2 weeks (n = 320, 20%) used 55% of LOS and 57% of LOMV, in contrast to the 1298 (80%) hospitalized for <7 days, who used only 29% of LOS and 20% of LOMV. Patients hospitalized for >3 months (11, 0.7%) consumed 17% of LOS and 23% of LOMV. Five of these (45%) were eventually discharged home, two on ventilators.

CONCLUSION

The increasing trend of occupation of PICU bed and ventilator days by critically ill children may be related to the increasing trend for hospitalization of chronic care patients. Severity scoring systems were predictive of resource consumption, but not of the overall trend in mortality rate.