CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Chronic respiratory failure (CRF) is a rare childhood condition but due to better diagnosis and medical care more children survive and the number of such children is increasing all over the world. All conditions leading to CRF could be categorized as those that affect the respiratory pump, those that affect respiratory drive, extrathoracic and central airway lesions and pulmonary parenchymal and vascular abnormalities. The main causes in children are neuromuscular and suppurative
lung diseases. Sometimes CRF in children could be rather as transitory condition than a progressive disease; therefore early accurate diagnosis, identification of the cause of respiratory failure and appropriate treatment on time are of great importance.
Multidisciplinary care is themost recommended approach to the currentmanagement of CRF. Themain goals of the treatment include reversing or ameliorating the cause of respiratory compromise, extending life, improving quality of life and reducing
morbidity. Long term oxygen therapy and/or ventilatory support are usually prescribed for such children. More detailed information about the causes, diagnosis and management of pediatric CRF are presented further in the article.