The challenge of upper airway obstruction in pediatric intensive care

• Published in: Intensive care medicine 1986-01, Vol.12 (6), p.412-415
• Main Authors: MOULIN, D, KALENGA, M, FRANCOIS, G, HAMOIR, M, CLAUS, D, SCHOLTES, J. L, VERELLEN, G, JAUMIN, P, OTTE, J. B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway Obstruction - etiology; Airway Obstruction - therapy; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Central Nervous System Diseases - complications; Congenital Abnormalities - complications; Emergency and intensive care: neonates and children. Prematurity. Sudden death; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intensive care medicine; Intensive Care Units; Medical sciences; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0342-4642; 1432-1238
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00254672

Over a 5-year period, 75 patients were admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit because of acute upper airway obstruction (AUAO). Congenital abnormalities were demonstrated in 25 children; 9 of them died secondary to severe combined malformations or major central nervous system dysfunction. Acquired AUAOs were seen in 50 patients; 1 died in brain death secondary to anoxia. Obstructions were observed at all levels of the airways from the nose to the carina. In 28% of the patients, AUAO had remained undiagnosed until admission for complications such as acute respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, coma, seizures. With early diagnosis and prompt release of the obstruction the prognosis is good unless severe congenital abnormalities or major central nervous system damage are associated.