Perinatal spinal cord injury requiring long-term home mechanical ventilation: a report of four cases.
Although perinatal spinal cord injury has been discussed in detail in the literature with respect to aetiology and diagnosis, few studies address long-term outcome, and none address the outcome of long-term home mechanical ventilation in this population. The four patients reported here with perinatal spinal cord injury have used home mechanical ventilation for time periods ranging from 6 to 17 years, with varying results. Their courses with respect to respiratory, neuromuscular, neuropsychological, and nutritional issues are described with reference to the current literature. It is believed that, with the advent of organized home mechanical ventilation programmes and increased acceptance of this technology by the lay public and medical community, the prognosis of the child with perinatal spinal cord injury requiring assisted ventilation is much improved, and may be more positive than the literature currently suggests.
Lumeng
J C
JC
Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Mott Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0230, USA.
Nelson
V S
VS
Hurvitz
E A
EA
D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011379:Prognosis; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors