Neonatal mechanical ventilation.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to analyze indications, complications, outcome and the factors influencing neonatal mechanical ventilation.


METHODS
Prospective observational study conducted on 102 consecutive newborns, who required mechanical ventilation in a medical college tertiary neonatal care setting.


RESULTS
The commonest indication was birth asphyxia (37.3%), followed by hyaline membrane disease (HMD) (31.4%), meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (21.2%), septicemia (14.7%) and apnea of prematurity (5.9%). The overall survival rate in our study was 51%. Babies weighing less than 1.5 kg and less than 32 weeks of gestation had survival rates of 30% and 25% respectively. The best outcome among various indications was observed in babies with MAS (63.6%) followed by pneumonia (62.5%) and HMD (53.1%). Babies with birth asphyxia and septicemia had a low survival rate of only 42% and 40% respectively. The overall complication rate in the study was 58.8%. Common complications encountered were septicemia (42%), tube block (36%) and air leak (15%).


CONCLUSIONS
About half (51%) of newborns requiring mechanical ventilations for various indications survived and more than half (58.8%) developed complications. The study also reconfirms that survival rate increases with birth weight and gestational age irrespective of indication.
Riyas
P K
PK
Department of Pediatrics, J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere, India.
Vijayakumar
K M
KM
Kulkarni
M L
ML
D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome