Archives of disease in childhood
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Patient triggered ventilation using oesophageal pressure changes was assessed in eight premature neonates. Respiratory activity was reliably recorded and positive pressure inflation occurred synchronously with inspiration. Peristalsis resulted in only minimal interference. During patient triggered ventilation, inflating volume and oxygenation increased significantly compared with periods of conventional ventilation.
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In 50 infants born to women who continued to take heroin during all or part of their pregnancy the drug withdrawal symptoms were mild and were noted in 21 infants (42%). Only nine infants required treatment. Sudden infant death syndrome occurred in two infants at 4 and 6 months.
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Five years' experience of paediatric intensive care in a district general hospital were analysed retrospectively. A total of 54 infants and children required respiratory support during this time--21 on a high dependency area of the children's ward and 33 on a general intensive care unit. Forty two (78%) of the patients survived, and 33 (61%) of the patients required respiratory support within four hours of admission, thus the experience of the local paediatric and anaesthetic team was crucial to the management of these children. Good intensive care for children can be provided within a district general hospital.