Results of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 100 newborns with cardiorespiratory insufficiency
Van Heijst, A.F.; van der Staak, F.H.; Geven, W.B.; Wilbers, H.; van de Bor, M.; Festen, C.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 143(7): 356-360
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 10221098 Document Number: 505853
To describe the results of treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in newborns with severe cardiorespiratory insufficiency. Prospective, descriptive. For all 100 newborns treated with ECMO in 1989-1997 in the Academic Hospital Nijmegen, department of Neonatology, the Netherlands, indications for treatment, complications during treatment and mortality within 6 weeks after cessation of ECMO were registered. The 100 children comprised 66 boys and 34 girls, with a mean age of 2 days (range: 1-15). Indications for ECMO treatment were: meconium aspiration syndrome: 39 with 37 survivors (95%), congenital diaphragmatic hernia: 31 with 23 survivors (74%), sepsis or pneumonia: 20 with 14 survivors (70%) and 'others' among which persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: 10 with 8 survivors (80%). Eighteen children died (18%). Causes of death were rebound pulmonary hypertension (9 times), intracranial haemorrhage (4), multi-organ failure (3) and pulmonary problems (2). The most important complications during treatment were bleeding problems (29), clotting problems (20) and infections (11).