All issues > Volume 34(11); 1991

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1991;34(11):1526-1533. Published online November 30, 1991.

Mechanical ventilator care in the newborn infants.

Young Pyo Chang¹, Yong Won Park¹, Won Soon Park¹, Jung Hwan Choi¹, Chong Ku Yun¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Received: June 10, 1991;  Accepted: July 4, 1991.

Abstract

The widespread introduction of mechanically assisted ventilation into the neonatal intensive care during the 1960s substantially improved the outcome of sick newborn infants, particularly those with respiratory disorders. We studied the clinical features of 82 neonates, who were treated with mechanically assisted ventilation in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Seoul National Univer- sity Children’s Hospital from January 1986 to August 1989 (the second period). Our results were compared with the results of the previous study for 85 neonates from April 1980 to December 1984 (the first period). And the factors responsible for the improved survival rate between two periods were analysed. The results were as follows: 1) The overall survival rate significantly increased from 36% in the first period to 48% in the second period. 2) According to diagnostic categories, the survival rate markedly increased in the apnea of prematurity, hyaline membrane disease and sepsis during the second period. 3) Survival rate was distinctly improved in the group of birth weight between 1,000 gm and 1,999 gm in the second period. 4) Incidence of complications increased from 27 cases (3196) in the first period to 73 cases (88%) in the second period. Particularly patent ductus arteriosus and bronchopulmonary dysplasia increased from 0% and 2% in the first period to 16% and 10% in the second period, respectively. Pneumothorax was directly related to the high mortality of all diagnostic groups. 5) It could be concluded that improved ventilatory and non-ventilatory management of the neonate with respiratory disorders might have been responsible for the improved survival rate in the second period.

Keywords :Newborn;Mechanical ventilation;Survival Rate