[Polyneuropathy in critically ill patients: a seldom recognized cause of dependence on mechanical ventilators].

INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular complications, in a critical care unit, are a cause of morbidity in children and prolonged dependence on a mechanical ventilator. Polyneuropathy of the critical patient is such a complication and is seen in patients on mechanical respiratory assistance.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the neurological and electrophysiological clinical findings of polyneuropathy of the critical patient. CLINICAL CASE: We evaluated four patients who initially required mechanical respiratory assistance, three for lung disorders and one for acute encephalopathy, who developed prolonged dependence on mechanical ventilators in the year 1999. In all these patients electromyography showed primary axon nerve disorders with secondary demyelination of all four limbs and phrenic nerve involvement.
CONCLUSIONS: Clinical suspicion and use of suitable electrophysiological techniques permits identification of this condition in the severely ill paediatric patient. Better recognition of the condition and investigation of the etiological factors would help to develop suitable measures for prevention and treatment.