MEDICINSKI GLASNIK

Lung atelectasis and lower respiratory tract infections in chil-
dren in the intensive care unit
Nada Mladina¹, Devleta Hadžić¹, Amela Selimović²
¹Pediatrics Clinic, ²Gynecology and Obstetrition Clinic; University and Clinical Center Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
ABSTRACT
Aim To determine etiologic, clinical and radiological findings of lung atelectasis in children undergoing
intensive treatment in the Department of Intensive Care Unit at the Pediatric Clinic Tuzla in one-year
period.
Methods We analyzed a group of 31 children with lower respiratory tract infections and pulmonary
atelectasis. Their average age was 3,6 ± 3,9 years. We analyzed etiologic, clinical and radiological findings
of pulmonary atelectasis among children with lower respiratory tract infections.
Results In one year period we treated 332 patients due to lower respiratory tract infections, bronchitis
and pneumonia, 208 boys (62, 7%) and 124 girls (37, 3%). In 224 (67,5%) patients radiologic findings
showed pneumonia, while in 31(9,3%) of patients radiological findings showed pneumonia and pulmonary
atelectasis, as well. The most frequent was the right-sided atelectasis (20 or 64,5%), while in 10 or
32,3% left sided atelectasis was noticed. In only one patient (3,2%) bilateral atelectasis was found. Generally
etiologic base was the infection of lower respiratory tract (30 or 96, 8%). It was only one patient
with mediastinal expansive process. Clinical signs, gas analyses and plus oximetries were in correlation
and showing hypoxemic type of respiratory insufficiency. The most frequent cause of lung atelectasis
was mucus stasis. All 31 patients demanded oxygen therapy and monitoring of vital parameters at least
for 24 hours, while in 12 or 38,7% of them, monitoring of vital parameters was needed longer than 24
hours. Average duration of intensive treatment was 4, 3± 2, 7 days (1-15 days).
Conclusion Pulmonary atelectasis are not rare in children with lower respiratory tract infections in
Intensive Care Unit. They are an additional risk factor for serious disturbances of pulmonary ventilation,
especially in infancy.
Key words: pulmonary atelectasis, lower respiratory tract, child
Original submission:
22 July 2008.;
Revised submission:
25 October 2008;
Accepted:
08 November 2008.
Mladina et al Atelektaza pluća i infekcije donjih dišnih puteva u djece
187