The anaesthesiologist and the critically ill infant Dr Nabulindo M S M.B.Ch.B,Mmed Anae(UoN) Fellow of Paediatric Anaesthesia (UoN/WFSA)

introduction A critically ill infant is one with any illness causing impairment of one or more vital organ systems with high probability of imminent or life threatening deterioration to the infants condition.

Critical care involves the access,manupilation and support of these ailing vital organ systems. It’s a multidisciplinary highly specialized care requiring trained specialists,special equipment and teamwork.

The anaesthesiologist is one of the teamplayers. Skilled due to the nature of the speciality and the day to day practice in the OR. The anesthesiologist will manage the infant either in the OR or in Critical care unit.

What ails the neonate (children’s hospital Vanderbilt)

Why them They are vulnerable and defenseless; –Physiology. –Pharmacology. –Poor resources. –Iatrogenic injury.

Role of the anaesthesiologist Preoperative Intraoperative postoperative

Day to day care Airway management and ventilation Intravenous access Non invasive and invasive monitoring Pain management Management of specific disease processes

Transport

Family support

Our goal The manipulation and support of the ailing organs system causes no or minimal acute or chronic damage. We walk with the parent all the way.

references I.Rogers' Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care - 4th Ed. -Rogers' Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care - 4th Ed. - II.A Practice of Anesthesia for Infants and Children, 5th Edition...A Practice of Anesthesia for Infants and Children, 5th Edition... III.Neonatal intensive care: the journal of perinatology-neonatology... 01/2011; 5(5):41-2, 70.Neonatal intensive care: the journal of perinatology-neonatology...