Essay Topic:

The importance of the neonatal ventilators for the respiratory system of the infants.

Essay Questions:

What is the role of neonatal care for the modern health care?

How do neonatal ventilators help the doctors to save the lives of newborn infants?

What are the generally accepted two types of neonatal ventilators?

Thesis Statement:

Neonatal ventilators support the respiratory system of the newborn facilitating the process of respiration and let the immune system concentrate on other vital processes increasing the possibility of the infant’s survival as they control airway pressure and flow.

Neonatal ventilators essay

Introduction. Neonatal care to newborn infants requires the most possible level of quality that can be provided. Some of them have clinical illnesses, which need special equipment designed to support their lives. Neonatal ventilators fit into the spectrum of health care, which supports the lives of the newborns. This kind of neonatal care has the goal of improving the survival rate of newborns with breathing problems. This especially concerns the infants with RDS. Neonatal ventilators maintain the mechanical ventilation of the lungs. Neonatal ventilators support the respiratory system of the newborn facilitating the process of respiration and let the immune system concentrate on other vital processes increasing the possibility of the infant’s survival as they control airway pressure and flow.

Two types of ventilation. Along with neonatal there are also adult ventilators. Neonatal ventilators are believed to cause the respiratory distress syndrome and are commonly related to extremely low-weight newborns. There is one important difference to notice in case of comparing neonatal and adult mechanical ventilation of the respiratory system. Adult ventilators are safer in the first place because of the sensitivity and weakness of the newborn’s organism. The body of an adult is more harebrained and strong. In addition to this adult ventilators possess one important quality – endotracheal cuffs prevent the escape of the gas anywhere except the newborn’s lungs. This is impossible in neonatal ventilators due to the possibility of laryngeal stenosis. Which is rather dangerous of the newborn’s life. Neonatal ventilators provide gas, which is a mix of oxygen and air. Breathing with the help of such ventilators is time-triggered and time-cycled. Therefore the frequency and the length of a breath are strictly calculated. Ventilation makes the respiratory system work right providing the needed gas for the body. Neonatal ventilators strictly determine the inspiratory time and the time of exhalation. Pressure control is used in order to equilibrate the respiratory process. Neonatal ventilators do an outstanding job measuring the compliance of the chest-wall and the lung of the newborn. This ventilation also keeps track of the newborn’s airway resistance.

Respiratory failure both happens to adults and to newborns. Therefore exist a large number of ventilators for newborns and adults. Along the most popular neonatal ventilators the Bear, Bird and Drager companies occupy a steady place. This especially concerns Bear 750vs, Bird V.I.P. and Drager Babylog. They offer assist/control and individual mode of work for each of the ventilators listed above. All of them provide monitoring of the respiratory process of the newborn. Ventilators for adults are primarily produced by the same companies; especially by Bear and Bird. It is necessary to point out Bear 3, Bear 1000 and Bird 8400Sti with back up ventilation and improved exhalation valve. The quality of their performance if always very high and saves a lot of lives.The possibility of the newborn’s to have apnea and other dangerous respiratory deceases due is very high in case of an infant born prematurely. This makes the neonatal ventilator a vital element in neonatal health care, especially those that are equipped with graphics display, as these make the monitoring process easier.The process of synchronized ventilation prevents the infants from air shortage and therefore keeps them alive in the most dangerous moment and prepares newborns for independent breathing. Neonatal ventilators also offer frequent ventilator changes, which are sometimes required for unstable newborns. Adult ventilators in their turn are created for more stable organisms and this makes them safer than neonatal ventilators that are designed to save newborns. Nevertheless, that fact that the person needs mechanical ventilation indicates the threat that this person is in.

 

Conclusion. Neonatal ventilators are vital for unhealthy newborns that require respiratory support. This kind of support can be provided only by neonatal ventilators, which perform unique modes including special volume and pressure control of the air that a newborn inhales and exhales during the inspiratory period.Adult ventilators basically represent the same ventilation system that the neonatal ventilators do, but there are some major differences especially concerning the airways resistance. This therefore makes a difference in terms of safety. Both neonatal and adult ventilators play an integral part if health care for patients with respiratory problems caused by different pathologies. They provide mechanic ventilation for newborns and adults with the difference of the difficulty of the modes presented in each of the ventilators. This makes neonatal and adult ventilators unique devices that support and save the priceless lives of both grown-ups and infants, which would never survive with mechanical ventilation.

Bibliography:

1. Pediatric neonatal ventilation

2. Ventilation for neonates

3. Brady JP, Gregory GA. Assisted ventilation. In: Klaus MH, Fanaroff AA, eds. Care of the high-risk neonate, 2nd edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co, 1988:205-223.