Abnormal Intra-aural Pressure Waves Associated with Death in African Children with acute Nontraumatic Coma.
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Date
2015
Authors
Gwer, S.
Kazungu, M.
Chengo, E.
Ohuma, E. O.
Idro, R.
Birch, T.
Marchbanks, R.
Kirkham, F. J.
Newton, C. R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We explored the relationship between tympanic membrane displacement (TMD) measurements, a tool to monitor intracranial pressure noninvasively, and clinical features and death in children with acute coma in Kilifi, Kenya.
METHODS: Between November 2007 and September 2009, we made serial TMD measurements and clinical observations on children with acute coma (Blantyre coma score (BCS) ≤ 2) on the pediatric high dependency unit of Kilifi District Hospital, and on well children presenting to the hospital's outpatient department for routine follow-up. We examined middle ear function using tympanometry and measured cardiac pulse (CPA) and respiratory pulse pressure amplitudes (RPA) using the TMD analyzer.
RESULTS: We recruited 75 children (32 (43%) females; median age 3.3 (IQR: 2.0, 4.3) years). Twenty-one (28%) children died. Higher TMD measurements predicted death. Adjusting for diagnosis, every 50 nl rise in both semirecumbent and recumbent CPA was associated with increased odds of death associated with intracranial herniation (OR: 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 2.41; P = 0.02 and OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.66; P ≤ 0.01 respectively).
CONCLUSION: Raised TMD pulse pressure measurements are associated with death and may be useful in detecting and monitoring risk of intracranial herniation and intracranial pressure in childhood coma.
Description
doi: 10.1038/pr.2015.57
Keywords
Citation
Pediatr Res. 2015 Jul;78(1):38-43