[Life-sustaining mechanical ventilation care for children with progressive or degenerative brain disorders].
In the past 10 years, we have treated 25 patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency due to a progressive or degenerative brain disorder. Ten patients died and the other 15 survived. Five of the former and 12 of the latter received life-sustaining mechanical ventilation care. Even in the terminal stage of progressive or degenerative brain disorders, patients can survive for a longer period than previously, if life-sustaining mechanical ventilation care is given. In Japan we do not have a guideline for medical indication or decision-making for children with progressive or degenerative brain disorders. Whenever we see such patients, we have great difficulty in making a decision. It may therefore be necessary to discuss whether we should have such a guideline.
Sasaki
M
M
Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital for Mental Nervous and Muscular Disorders, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo.
Sugai
K
K
Hanaoka
S
S
Fukumizu
M
M
Kaga
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*