Hypoxic respiratory failure: etiology and outcomes at one referral center 2000 through 2005.
OBJECTIVE
We calculated in a referral population of term and near-term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) as a primary presenting problem the overall survival rate, the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and the incidence of apparently irreversible disorders.


METHODS
All infants >or=36-week gestation admitted at <or=72 h of age from 2000 through 2005 were identified. The worst (highest) oxygen index (OI) was calculated and outcomes were noted.


RESULTS
A total of 630 infants were reviewed and 315 infants were identified with primary diagnosis of HRF; four infants died before discharge. One hundred seventy-seven infants had OI <or=14; 71 had OI of 15 to 25; and 67 had OI of >25. A total of 32 infants received ECMO, including all four who died, two with histologic evidence of pulmonary malformations and two with septic shock.


CONCLUSIONS
Term or near-term infants with isolated HRF are likely to survive, given the low incidence of pulmonary disorders not supportable by inhaled nitric oxide or ECMO.
Truog
W E
WE
Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. wtruog@cmh.edu
Kurth
G
G
Haney
B
B
Kilbride
H W
HW
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010100:Oxygen