RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 High frequency oscillatory ventilation in infants with increased intra-abdominal pressure JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP F123 OP F125 DO 10.1136/fn.76.2.F123 VO 76 IS 2 A1 Tai Fai Fok A1 Pak Cheung Ng A1 William Wong A1 Cheuk Hon Lee A1 King Woon So YR 1997 UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/76/2/F123.abstract AB AIMS To describe the short term effect of high frequency oscillatory ventilation on infants with severe abdominal distension who could not be conventionally ventilated. METHODS Eight infants (25 to 38 gestational weeks, birthweight 600-3200 g, postnatal age 1 to 190 days) with a variety of intra-abdominal pathologies, resulting in severe abdominal distension and failure of conventional ventilation, were studied. RESULTS The oxygenation status of all infants significantly improved within an hour of changing from conventional to high frequency oscillatory ventilation. Infants who were hypercapneic on conventional ventilation also showed a reduction in PaCO2. As a group, the mean (SD) PaO2/FIO2 improved from 4.99 (0.98) kpa to 11.55 (3.8) kpa (P = 0.002), and the PaCO2 from 6.48 (2.12) kpa to 4.89 (1.22) kpa (P= 0.028). These improvements were sustained throughout the next 48 hours. CONCLUSION High frequency oscillatory ventilation seems to be an effective rescue measure for infants with respiratory failure secondary to increased intra-abdominal pressure.