Tabla 3. Signos y síntomas asociados a Trastornos Respiratorios del Sueño Síntomas Signos Vigilia Sueño Mal rendimiento escolar Ronquido Fascie adenoidea Somnolencia Apnea constatada por padres Respirador bucal Agresividad Respiración paradojal Aumento tejido amigdaliano Hiperactividad Enuresis Alteraciones craneofaciales Cefalea matinal Sueño no reparador Micrognatia

At-home non-invasive ventilatory assistance for children: initial impact of a national program in Chile Introduction: Prolonged mechanical ventilation may be provided to children with chronic ventilatory failure as non-invasive ventilatory assistance at home (NIVA). Objective: To describe clinical characteristics, evolution outcomes and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of pediatric patients admitted into the Chilean NIVA program. Patients and Methods: Medical fi les of patients included in the program, were reviewed during a period of 24 months (2006-2008), using follow-up protocols. Results: There were a total of 177 children, with an average age of 9.7 ± 4.7 years. Fourteen patients died of non-related causes. Diagnoses were: neuromuscular disease (NMD) 64%, myelomeningocele 6%, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome 6%, lung disease 20% and miscellaneous 4%. Compared to the previous year, hospitalization decreased from 60 to 21% (p < 0.00001) and from 1.3 hospitalizations/patient/year to 0.3 (p < 0.00001). HRQOL improved signifi cantly, AUQUEI 17.2 ± 5.6 (p < 0.05), IRS 26.4 ± 8.2 points (p < 0.05) in 82 patients. In 21 patients with NMD an average increase of 27 cmH 2 O on muscular inspiratory pressure (p < 0.05) after respiratory training was observed. Conclusions: The NIVA program reduced hospitalizations and improved HRQOL. In a group of patients the muscle strength increased with stable respiratory function.

Non-invasive ventilatory assistance: Pediatrics considerations Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has extended its use in pediatric setting. Besides acute respiratory conditions, it is also used in chronic diseases associated to ventilatory failure. In the acute setting, PICU constitutes the natural scenery. In chronic conditions, therapy is transferred home as a multidisciplinary program already available in our country. The objective of this review is an update applying respiratory physiology, technical and clinical issues necessary for choosing and using accurately NIV in both acute and chronic settings.

La Atrofia Muscular Espinal (AME) es una enfermedad genética del asta anterior de la medula espinal, que cursa con debilidad muscular progresiva. La intensidad y precocidad de la debilidad muscular presenta diferentes grados de afectación de los grupos musculares respiratorios, determinando la meseta en la capacidad vital y progresión a la insuficiencia ventilatoria, como también el compromiso de los músculos inervados bulbares. Los AME tipo 1 y 2, se benefician con cuidados respiratorios no invasivos en la infancia temprana y edad escolar, mejorando la calidad y esperanza de vida. Este documento sintetiza dichas recomendaciones, con especial referencia a intervenciones guiadas por etapas, que incluyan apilamiento de aire, protocolos de tos asistida, preparación para la artrodesis de columna y soporte ventilatorio no invasivo, incluso en aquellos pacientes con pérdida de la autonomía respiratoria, minimizando el riesgo de traqueostomía. La no consideración de estas recomendaciones en la valoración regular de los pacientes resta la oferta de tratamientos oportunos.

Flow generator with double level pressure (BiPAP) through Tracheostomy Background: The Chilean Program of Noninvasive Home Ventilation started using flow generating equipment with differential pressure at 2 levels (BiPAP) through tracheostomies for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Objective: Describe the experience of this ventilatory support, reporting selection criteria, procedure and technological requirements. Method: Descriptive-transversal study that includes 20 patients treated at Hospital Josefina Martínez, other pediatric hospitals and at home, for 12 months since June 2006. The clinical features, ventilation support, technical characteristics, follow-up and complications were reported. Results: The mean age was 3.5 years-old (range 3 months-17 years). The duration of PMV ranged between 1 month to 5 years. Six patients (30%) are at home and 14 (70%) are hospitalized. In 14 patients (70%), the need of PMV was due to neuromuscular diseases. There was no mortality related to the use of Bipap through tracheostomy; only 4 patients had minor complications. Conclusions: This report suggests that the use of BiPAP through tracheostomy in patients with selection criteria is an applicable PVM method. However, comparative systematic trials are necessary to define costs, benefits and risks of this type of ventilation.