Aim

To document the outcome of babies mechanically ventilated at the Bustamante Hospital for Children over a five-year period

Methods

A retrospective study looking at all babies mechanically ventilated at the Bustamante Hospital for Children over a 5-year period was conducted. Descriptive analyses were performed.

Results

There were 120 babies in the study, 64 (64%) were premature. Sixty-eight (57%) babies died. The most common reasons for needing mechanical ventilation weredifficulty breathing due to premature lungs 45 (38%), aspiration of meconium 25 (21%) and pneumonia 19 (16%). The most common complications wereanaemia, 53 (44%), ventilator associated pneumonia 47 (39%) andinfection 47 (39%) which were all associated with prematurity (p< 0.05). Bleeding into the lungs or into the brain seen in premature babies was associated with high mortality (p< 0.05). Low birthweight <1000g and clinical instability prior to ventilation were associated with increased mortality (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

Interventions to decrease mortality in babies requiring mechanical ventilation must target obstetric measures to decrease premature birth, infectious disease prevention measures to decrease hospital acquired infections and pre ventilation resuscitation measures to ensure clinical stability of the babies.