ResumoObjetivo: o número de pacientes pediátricos dependentes de suporte ventilatório vem aumentando de maneira relevante nas últimas décadas. Essas crianças permanecem por longos períodos internadas, freqüentemente em unidades de terapia intensiva. Para minimizar as hospitalizações, tem sido dada ênfase à continuação da terapia ventilatória no domicílio. No presente trabalho descreve-se um programa de assistência ventilatória domiciliar desenvolvido na Alemanha, visando antever a possibilidade de adaptação à nossa realidade. Conclusion: the program relies on a permanent multidisciplinary staff to treat intercurrent diseases. Patients, at predetermined periods, are re-evaluated as to the evolution of respiratory insufficiency. The adequate system organization provides patients and their families with security, and accounts for the success of the home ventilatory support program. A great deal of organizational efforts should be consolidated before implementing similar programs in Brazil.J Pediatr (Rio J) 2001; 77 (2): 84-8: artificial respiration, respiratory insufficiency, lung diseases.

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The gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in children are related to opportunistic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV disease of the GI tract is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients: it typically produces mucosal ulcerations that can result in pain, bleeding, diarrhea, and GI perforation, often around the cecum. Preoperative diagnosis may be difficult, plain films and barium enema are often non-specific, and endoscopic evaluation is impossible when there is massive bleeding. The patient usually needs surgery to establish the correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment. The use of gancyclovir for CMV disease in the postoperative period has improved the prognosis.