Abstract
There are many diseases caused respiratory failure in childhood. Recently, mortality of bronchial asthma of children has increased abruptly. But, its cause is still unclear. Episodes of status asthmaticus has increased also in our hospital, the numbers of which were 254 cases from October 1974 to September 1975. Acute respiratory failure of bronchial asthma were 16 episodes of 8 subjects from 1971 to 1975. Clinical signs were well matched of criteria of Collins-Williams, O'Brien's triad, and Bierman's pulmonary index. Results of arterial blood gases and pH suggested severe respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis.
The administration of adrenocorticosteroids and humidified oxygen by recirculated O2 tent should be applied. Especially, much doses of hydrocortisone intravenously are the effective pharmacological management of respiratory failure due to asthmatic attack.
