PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Marijke Proesmans AU - Myriam Vreys AU - Elke Huenaerts AU - E. Haest AU - S. Coremans AU - H. Feys TI - Evaluation of respiratory problems in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) DP - 2013 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P1218 VI - 42 IP - Suppl 57 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1218.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1218.full SO - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42 AB - PIMD is a profound cognitive disability combined with severe sensory and motor impairments. Children with PIMD often present with recurrent or chronic respiratory problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of respiratory problems in children with PIMD and investigate possible risk factors.In 10 institutions, specialized in the care of PIMD, children were assessed for respiratory and motor function according to a standardized protocol. Addition information was obtained from medical records and interviews with the caregivers/physiotherapists.RESULTS: 107 children aged 2-21 years (median age 12 years; 59 male, 48 female) were tested. All had a developmental age < 2 years. 75 (70%) have epilepsy. 45 (42%) children are fed via gastrostomy tube and 45 (42%) children have scoliosis (30% with a cobb angle > 20°).Only 15 (14%) children were chronically on respiratory medication. Median number of lower airway infections in the previous year was 3: almost 50% of children experienced 4 airway infections over the previous year while 25% of the group had experienced none. 75% of these children had not been hospitalized for respiratory problems/infection over the last 5 years; around 10% of children were hospitalized 3 times or more in this period.Risk factors for respiratory morbidity are analyzed.Conclusion: The overall respiratory morbidity in our sample of children with PIMD was lower than anticipated. A subgroup of children are prone to recurrent severe airway problems while in the majority of children in this group there were no important/frequent airway infections. Risk factors will be discussed.