%0 Journal Article
%T Rehabilitation Considerations for Children Dependent on Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation
%A Helene M. Dumas
%J ISRN Rehabilitation
%D 2012
%R 10.5402/2012/756103
%X The purposes of this paper are as follows (1) to describe the prevalence, etiology, and care settings for children dependent on long-term mechanical ventilation (MV); (2) to provide a brief introduction to MV and weaning; (3) to explore health care utilization and cost of care; and, primarily, (4) to discuss the rehabilitation needs of children dependent on long-term MV including activities of daily living, mobility, communication, psychosocial needs, and recreation and leisure. Children with ventilator dependence are a growing segment of the population of children with special health care needs and often require rehabilitation services. MV is a form of life-saving technology that substitutes for or assists a childĄ¯s respiratory efforts. Goals for use of MV vary and there are many combinations of MV elements that can obtain desirable results. No standards of care exist for the rehabilitation examination or interventions utilized for children with long-term MV dependence and it remains unclear what effect MV has on the achievement of developmental milestones, daily activities, and participation in daily life. 1. Introduction Advances in obstetric care, neonatal intensive care, and pediatric critical care medicine have resulted in a growing population of children dependent on long-term mechanical ventilation (MV). Additionally, advances in medical technology are allowing children to live in to adulthood and the increasing use of portable ventilators is allowing children to be managed at home and in their communities [1¨C5]. While children dependent on long-term MV remain a small percentage of the overall group of children requiring rehabilitation services, studies indicate that this group of children continues to grow around the world [3, 6¨C11]. Children dependent on long-term MV require rehabilitation services to address impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions in daily activities due to their injury, illness, or disease process. The purposes of this paper are as follows: (1) to describe the prevalence, etiology, and care settings for children dependent on long-term mechanical ventilation (MV); (2) to provide a brief introduction to MV and weaning; (3) to explore health care utilization and cost of care; and, primarily, (4) to discuss the rehabilitation needs of children dependent on long-term MV including activities of daily living, mobility, communication, psychosocial needs and recreation and leisure. 2. Who Are the Children Dependent on Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation? Children dependent on MV present with varied diagnoses
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.rehabilitation/2012/756103/