A method of humidification in ventilator treatment of neonates

Abstract

Summary: A humidification system is described for use in neonatal ventilator treatment with the child placed in an incubator. By means of a temperature-controlled draw-over humidifier and a thermocouple in the inspiratory tube, it is possible to control the content of water vapour in the inspired gases and to calculate the humidity in percentage of the humidity in the lungs during controlled and spontaneous ventilation. At the same time it has been possible to eliminate the risk of water condensation in the inspiratory tube inside the incubator. During 3 months ventilator treatment of 26 neonates with the respiratory distress syndrome, each being ventilated for more than 24 hours, the humidity was kept consistently above 70 per cent of body humidity for 1,792 hours, in which period three tubes became plugged. During 417 hours ventilation with a humidity below 70 per cent seven tubes became plugged. The impression was gained that most of the tracheal secretions were transported alongside the tube to the pharynx, and in most cases frequent tracheal suction was consequently not necessary. © 1968 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.