Asistencia ventilatoria no invasiva domiciliaria nocturna en Pediatría

Abstract

The nocturnal noninvasive ventilation (NNIV) at home is often used in chronic respiratory failure (CRF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and, less frequently, in central hypoventilation and cystic fibrosis. We present a 6 year period (1996-2002) retrospective review of 10 children treated with noninvasive respiratory support describing indications, type of NNIV and the follow-up. Patient's age ranged from 1 to 13 years old; 6 were females and 4 males. Six had a neuromuscular disease, three a cerebral palsy and one an Arnold Chiari Syndrome Type II. Nine children presented kyphoscoliosis. NNIV was indicated in the following conditions: compensated CRF (n = 3), decompensated CRF (n = 1), acute respiratory failure with underlying neuromuscular diseases and unclear diagnosis of CRF (n = 2); OSA with pharyngeal collapse (n = 3) and central hypoventilation (n = 1). Two patients had moderate to severe pulmonary restriction and subnormal maximal airway pressures. Six patients were discharged with CPAP and four with BiPAP after being hospitalized during 3 to 90 days. In average, the follow-up lasted 2 years. Three children had training of their respiratory muscles. One patient needed a tracheostomy, the other nine improved: five without re-admissions and four reduced them. Five patients went back to school. One patient with congenital myopathy and kyphoscoliosis, surgically treated, improved her pulmonary function and the 6 minutes walking test. Two patients used NNIV irregularly and other two stopped it after one year. No deaths were reported. In our experience NNIV at home lessens admissions and promotes a better social and school re-integration. BiPAP is useful in restrictive conditions meanwhile CPAP is helpful in upper airway obstruction with OSA