Anales de pediatría : publicación oficial de la Asociación Española de Pediatría (A.E.P.)
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Several parameters can be used to study respiratory mechanics in children on mechanical ventilation. Compliance is a measure of the distensibility of the respiratory system. In mechanical ventilation two measures of compliance can be used. ⋯ The latest respirators can perform these measurements almost automatically. Work of breathing and respiratory effort can also be analyzed by measuring several parameters (pressure-time product, imposed work of breathing, P 0.1, maximum inspiratory pressure). However, these measures have not yet been standardized in children.
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Noninvasive methods of monitoring are crucial in the management of intensive care patients, especially in the pediatric field. Pulse oxymetry measures arterial oxygen saturation in severely ill patients, allows oxygen requirements to be adjusted to the patient, reduces invasive gasometric studies and achieves continuous monitoring of the critically ill child. ⋯ Capnography produces a graphic curve of end-tidal CO2 while capnometry provides a numerical representation of this concentration. This technique is highly useful in the continuous monitoring of various respiratory problems and situations such as weaning or checking the correct placement of endotracheal cannulas.