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ObjectiveTo evaluate incidence of minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) failure, identify risk factors and assess the impact of MIST failure on neonatal outcome.DesignRetrospective cohort study. MIST failure was defined as need for early mechanical ventilation (SettingTwo tertiary neonatal intensive care centres in the Netherlands.PatientsInfants born between 24 weeks’ and 31 weeks’ gestational age (GA) (n=185) with MIST for respiratory distress syndrome.InterventionsMIST procedure with poractant alfa (100–200 mg/kg).Main outcome measuresContinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure after MIST in the first 72 hours of life.Results30% of the infants failed CPAP after MIST. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, four risk factors were independently associated with failure: GA Furthermore, MIST failure was independently associated with an increased risk of severe intraventricular haemorrhage.ConclusionWe observed moderate MIST failure rates in concordance with the results of earlier studies. Absence of corticosteroids and lower surfactant dose are risk factors for MIST failure that may be modifiable in order to improve MIST success and patient outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the recommendations from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference on nonpulmonary treatments in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.DESIGN: Consensus conference of experts in pediatric acute lung injury.METHODS: A panel of 27 experts met over the course of 2 years to develop a taxonomy to define pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and to make recommendations regarding treatment and research priorities. The nonpulmonary subgroup comprised three experts. When published data were lacking, a modified Delphi approach emphasizing strong professional agreement was utilized.RESULTS: The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference experts developed and voted on a total of 151 recommendations addressing the topics related to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, 30 of which related to nonpulmonary treatment. All 30 recommendations had strong agreement. Patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome should receive 1) minimal yet effective targeted sedation to facilitate mechanical ventilation; 2) neuromuscular blockade, if sedation alone is inadequate to achieve effective mechanical ventilation; 3) a nutrition plan to facilitate their recovery, maintain their growth, and meet their metabolic needs; 4) goal-directed fluid management to maintain adequate intravascular volume, end-organ perfusion, and optimal delivery of oxygen; and 5) goal-directed RBC transfusion to maintain adequate oxygen delivery. Future clinical trials in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome should report sedation, neuromuscular blockade, nutrition, fluid management, and transfusion exposures to allow comparison across studies.CONCLUSIONS: The Consensus Conference developed pediatric-specific definitions for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and recommendations regarding treatment and future research priorities. These recommendations for nonpulmonary treatment in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome are intended to promote optimization and consistency of care for patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and identify areas of uncertainty requiring further investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Extracorporeal life support has undergone a revolution in the past several years with the advent of new, miniaturized equipment and success in supporting patients with a variety of illnesses. Most experience has come with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a modified form of cardiopulmonary bypass that can support the heart, lungs, and circulation for days to months at a time. To describe the recommendations for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome based on a review of the literature and expert opinion.DESIGN: Consensus conference of experts in pediatric acute lung injury.METHODS: A panel of 27 experts met over the course of 2 years to develop a taxonomy to define pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and to make recommendations regarding treatment and research priorities. The extracorporeal support subgroup comprised two international experts. When published data were lacking, a modified Delphi approach emphasizing strong professional agreement was used.RESULTS: The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference experts developed and voted on a total of 151 recommendations addressing the topics related to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, 11 of which related to extracorporeal support. All recommendations had agreement, with 10 recommendations (91%) achieving strong agreement. These recommendations included the utilization of extracorporeal support for reversible causes of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, consideration of quality of life when making the decision to use extracorporeal support, and the use of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry to report all extracorporeal support activity, among others.CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome could benefit from more specific data collection and collaboration of focused investigators to establish validated criteria for optimal application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and patient management protocols. Until that time, consensus opinion offers some insight into guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the methodology used for the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference.DESIGN: Consensus conference of international experts in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome using the Research ANd Development/University of California, Los Angeles appropriateness method and an expert recommendations process developed by the French-speaking intensive care society. Topics related to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome were divided into nine subgroups with a review of the literature.SETTING: A group of 27 experts met three times over the course of 2 years and collaborated in their respective subgroups to define pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and to make recommendations regarding treatment and future research priorities.MAIN RESULTS: The consensus conference resulted in summary of recommendations published in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, the present Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference methodology article, articles on the nine pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome subtopics, and a review of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome pathophysiology published in this supplement of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.CONCLUSIONS: The methodology described involved experts from around the world and the use of modern information technology. This resulted in recommendations for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome management, the identification of current research gaps, and future priorities.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the widespread use of noninvasive ventilation in children and in children with acute lung injury and pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, there are few scientific data on the utility of this therapy. In this review, we examine the literature regarding noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and use the Research ANd Development/University of California, Los Angeles appropriateness methodology to provide strong or weak recommendations for the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.DATA SOURCES: Electronic searches were made in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus with the following specific keywords: noninvasive ventilation, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure, and high-flow nasal cannula.STUDY SELECTION: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they included 10 or more children between 1 month and 18 years old. Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, controlled before-and-after studies, concurrent cohort studies, interrupted time series studies, historically controlled studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and uncontrolled longitudinal studies were included for data synthesis.DATA SYNTHESIS: The literature provides a solid physiological rationale for the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. The addition of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation can improve gas exchange and potentially prevent intubation and mechanical ventilation in some children with mild pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation is not indicated in severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation should be performed only in acute care setting with experienced team, and patient-ventilator synchrony is crucial for success. An oronasal interface provides superior support, but close monitoring of children is required due to the risk of progressive respiratory failure and the potential need for intubation. The use of high-flow nasal cannula is a promising treatment for respiratory disease; however, at this time, the efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula compared with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation is unknown.CONCLUSION: Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation can be beneficial in children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in those with milder disease. However, further research is needed into the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in children.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the recommendations of the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference for mechanical ventilation management of pediatric patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.DESIGN: Consensus Conference of experts in pediatric acute lung injury.METHODS: The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference experts developed and voted on a total of 27 recommendations focused on the optimal mechanical ventilation approach of the patient with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Topics included ventilator mode, tidal volume delivery, inspiratory plateau pressure, high-frequency ventilation, cuffed endotracheal tubes, and gas exchange goals. When experimental data were lacking, a modified Delphi approach emphasizing the strong professional agreement was used.RESULTS: There were 17 recommendations with strong agreement and 10 recommendations with weak agreement. There were no recommendations with equipoise or disagreement. There was weak agreement on recommendations concerning approach to tidal volume and inspiratory pressure limitation (88% to 72% agreement, respectively), whereas strong agreement could be achieved for accepting permissive hypercapnia. Using positive end-expiratory pressure levels greater than 15 cm H2O in severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, under the condition that the markers of oxygen delivery, respiratory system compliance, and hemodynamics are closely monitored as positive end-expiratory pressure is increased, is strongly recommended. The concept of exploring the effects of careful recruitment maneuvers during conventional ventilation met an agreement level of 88%, whereas the use of recruitment maneuvers during rescue high-frequency oscillatory ventilation is highly recommended (strong agreement).CONCLUSIONS: The Consensus Conference developed pediatric-specific recommendations regarding mechanical ventilation of the patient with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome as well as future research priorities. These recommendations are intended to initiate discussion regarding optimal mechanical ventilation management for children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and identify areas of controversy requiring further investigation.

The electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) is measured by a specialized nasogastric/orogastric tube positioned in the esophagus at the level of the crural diaphragm. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) uses the Edi signal as a neural trigger and intrabreath controller to synchronize mechanical ventilatory breaths with the patient's respiratory drive and to proportionally support the patient's respiratory efforts on a breath-by-breath basis. NAVA improves patient-ventilator interaction and synchrony even in the presence of large air leaks, and might therefore be an optimal option for noninvasive ventilation in neonates.

The classic entity of neonatal distress syndrome, as a lung disease expressing predominant surfactant deficiency, is currently changing to a more complex disease of the developing lung as a result of the number of extremely immature preterm infants. Prenatal factors, such as the fetal inflammatory response syndrome influence short- and long-term outcome in these premature infants presenting with respiratory distress syndrome at birth. Therefore, various previously dismissed treatment strategies, such as surfactant prophylaxis or newer anti-inflammatory approaches have to be reinvestigated in this emerging population. Despite the resurrection of a new picture of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, lung injury induced by mechanical ventilation remains a major issue in neonatal intensive care. With the advance in understanding of mechanical ventilation, it is becoming evident, that improvement in outcome can not be achieved by restoring normal lung physiology in the diseased lung using sophisticated ventilators and ventilation modes. A more disease specific ventilator strategy that will target as early as possible homogenous lung opening while at the same time avoiding overdistention of the lung, has the potential to affect outcome. The possible antiinflammatory properties of surfactant-proteins, nitric oxide and corticosteroids, despite some drawbacks, may show to have a synergistic effect. However, this needs further exploration.

We describe a premature infant (gestational age 28 weeks and birth weight 1280 g) with a left-sided acquired lobar emphysema (ALPE). Left lateral decubitus positioning, right-sided conventional ventilation (CV), tracheal high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), and dexamethasone administration were subsequently used in the treatment without success. The emphysema was resolved and the patient was extubated after selective intubation and HFOV of the right unaffected lung. We also review the reported cases of ALPE in neonates that were treated by one-sided high-frequency ventilation (HFV). J Perinatol

Objectives.The lack of decline in chronic lung disease of prematurity despite the generalized use of surfactant and alternative modes of ventilation such as high-frequency oscillation (HFO) has been attributed to some misunderstanding of how HFO has to be used. We used a new ventilatory strategy in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, by initiating HFO immediately after intubation and attempting early lung volume optimization before surfactant was administered.Study Design.The outcome of 32 VLBW infants, managed with first intention HFO over a period of 24 months (September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1998) was compared by chart review with 39 historical controls, consecutively managed with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) over a period of 24 months (January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1995).Setting.An 11-bed tertiary care pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital.Results.The 2 groups of patients were similar in demographic distribution of birth weight, gestational age, race, and gender. Patients on first intention HFO were ventilator-dependent (median [95% confidence interval]: 5 [3–6] vs 14 [6–23] days) and oxygen-dependent (12 [4–17] vs 51 [20–60] days) for a shorter time than patients on CMV. The incidence of chronic lung disease at 36 weeks of gestational age was significantly lower in the HFO group compared with the CMV group (0% vs 34%).Conclusions.First intention HFO with early lung volume optimization shortened the need for respiratory support and improved pulmonary outcome of VLBW infants with respiratory distress syndrome significantly.

In addition to the established treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome by oxygen supplementation, artificial ventilation and thermoneutrality, substitution of surfactant offers a new therapeutic perspective. Up to now, either artificial mixtures of surface active components or surfactant extracts from minced animal lungs, lung lavage fluid, or human amniotic fluid have been used in controlled trials of prophylactic and rescue surfactant treatment. Meta-analysis of controlled prevention trials including about 2,400 preterm infants shows decreased mortality (21% in controls, 9.5% in infants treated with natural preparations, p less than 0.001; 17% in controls, 11% in infants treated with artificial preparations, p less than 0.001) and fewer complications of artificial ventilation (pneumothorax: 24 vs. 7.2% with natural preparations, p less than 0.001; 20 vs. 15% with artificial preparations, p less than 0.05). In rescue studies on more than 1,900 preterm infants, natural surfactant preparations decreased complications of artificial ventilation such as pulmonary interstitial emphysema and pneumothorax (32 vs. 13%, p less than 0.001). Although the immediate effect of artificial preparations is mild, the incidence of pneumothorax also could be reduced (30 vs. 19%, p less than 0.001). Mortality could be reduced by 1/3 with natural (31 vs. 20%, p less than 0.001) and with artificial preparations (23 vs. 16%, p less than 0.01). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intracerebral hemorrhage, however, did not drop significantly. Severe adverse side effects of this treatment seem to be rare. There are, however, potential hazards of surfactant substitution. Its use should be restricted to fully staffed and equipped neonatal intensive care units.

Blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured in two groups of preterm infants that had been matched for gestational age. Both groups were fed parenterally during the first 72 hours of life and were mechanically ventilated because of respiratory distress syndrome. Group A infants (n = 11) received 10% glucose (infusion rate 5 mg/kg/min) and group B infants (n = 12) received amino acid solution (1.2 g/kg/d) in addition to 10% glucose at the same rate as those in group A. Infants in both groups received 90 mL/kg of fluid per day. There was no difference in blood glucose or serum insulin levels between the two groups 24 hours after beginning the infusion; however, at 48 hours there was a significantly (P < .01) higher insulin level in infants receiving amino acid and glucose infusion compared with those receiving only glucose. Blood glucose level remained stable in both groups. We conclude that, in the stable preterm infant, the higher insulin level associated with continuous amino acid infusion does not result in hypoglycemia.

OBJECTIVE: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) has been shown to improve the outcome of infants with respiratory distress syndrome. However, noise generation could be of concern. Therefore, our study was designed to measure the noise levels of various CPAP drivers. DESIGN: For infants admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit and paediatric critical care unit, we measured the noise level in the oral cavity, using a microphonic probe with a flexible capillary tube. Various CPAP drivers and interfaces have been tested. RESULTS: 27 measurements were made in eight infants. Mean noise level was 88.6 (SD 18.8) dB and was correlated with flow (p