Indian journal of pediatrics
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Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a relatively new mode of mechanical ventilation. The use of this model of ventilation in pediatrics has been limited. The authors describe their experience with this mode of ventilation in a series of pediatric hypoxemic respiratory failure patients. ⋯ Fractional oxygen concentration decreased from 0.97 ± 0.02 for PCV to 0.68 ± 0.12 for APRV, peak airway pressure fell from 36.6 ± 11.5 cm H₂O for PCV to 33.3 ± 5.7 cm H₂O for APRV, mean airway pressure increased from 17.9 ± 5.9 cmH₂O for PCV to 27 ± 2.6 cm H₂O for APRV and release tidal volume increased from 8.3 ± 1.5 mL/kg for PCV to 13.2 ± 1.1 mL/kg for APRV after 1 h. APRV may improve oxygenation in pediatric AHRF when conventional mechanical ventilation fails. The APRV modality may provide better oxygenation with lower peak airway pressure.
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To review the current information on trends, burden, differentials, causes, and timing of under five (U5) child deaths in India. ⋯ The reduction in under 5 child mortality in India during 1990-2007 has been insufficient to attain Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4). However, there have been variable declines in early neonatal, neonatal, infant and child mortality. Despite the well known importance of neonatal survival to attain MDG4, our data suggest the early neonatal mortality rate in India may be increasing in the recent years, which is a cause for serious concern. Achievement of MDG4 in India will require further acceleration in the reduction of the under 5 mortality rate, particularly, in the 5 highest burden states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
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One of the greatest successes in AIDS research to date has by far been the discovery of successful interventions that interrupt the transmission of HIV from mother to child. It is however important to note that these successes have occurred largely in countries with great resources and the least burden of perinatal transmission of HIV. In the developing world wherein currently 95% of vertical transmission of HIV occurs, it is highly condemnable that still every minute an infected infant is said to be born in spite of the fact that vertical transmission is largely preventable, mainly because translating knowledge into practice is not always possible or feasible; This has led to a continuous growing numbers of children with HIV, thereby making pediatric HIV a looming problem rapidly draining the already burdened health care system of these countries. It is the need of the hour to appropriately address the challenges to achieve zero percent transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her child thereby giving a hope for an AIDS-free new generation worldwide.
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Coma and other states of impaired consciousness represent a medical emergency. The potential causes are numerous, and the critical window for diagnosis and effective intervention is often short. ⋯ The basic principles of management include 1) Rapid assessment and stabilization, 2) Focussed clinical evaluation to assess depth of coma, localization of lesion in the central nervous system and possible clues to etiology, and 3) Treatment including general and specific measures. Commonly associated problems such as raised intracranial pressure and seizures must be recognized and managed to prevent secondary neurologic injury.
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Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are disorders of pulmonary inflammation characterized by hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Children have varying incidence of ALI/ARDS from 2.2 to 16 per 100,000 pediatric population associated with high morbidity, mortality, and financial burden. ⋯ Management includes ventilatory therapy including lower tidal volume, relatively high PEEP and supportive care. Guidelines for diagnosis, ventilator management, rescue therapies and supportive care are being discussed in the protocol.