DETECTION OF CARDIAC FUNCTION ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF LIFE

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress is one of the most important complaints, encountered in the pediatric age group. Although chest problems are the most common aetiological factors for acute respiratory distress, yet, many other system may present their impairement by acute respiratory distress. Previously, there was insufficient evidence to contlnn that patients with acute respiratory distress due to non cardiac aetiology may develop impairement of cardiac t[mctions. Recently, with the ad,•ances of cchocarcliographic techniques, detection of cardiac l mction abnormalities can be clone rapidly, accurately and non-invasively. The aim of this study was to detect any cardiac function abnormalities in patients with acute severe RD and to detect whether this dysfunction returns back to normal immediately after complete clinical recovery or not.