Our research aims to improve the outcome of pediatric and neonatal patients requiring intensive care. We focus on testing and optimizing ventilation strategies for both neonatal and pediatric patients.

Main methods:

• Randomized clinical trials (RCT)
• Observational clinical trials
• Physical bench models studies
• Qualitative health care research

Group Leader: Hans Fuchs

Neonatal Respiratory Management

• Jana Baumgartner, M.D.
• Philip Müller, M.D.

Pediatric Respiratory Management

• Hendryk Schneider, M.D.

Patient and Family Centered Intensive Care (PFCC)

• Daniel Matheisl, M.D., M.A.

Main topics of our research are:

• Avoidance of inhomogeneous lung ventilation in premature infants. Pulmonary emphysema and pneumothorax are clinical hallmarks of ventilation induced lung injuries. We investigate whether modulations of the I:E ratio homogenize ventilation distribution in the premature lung.

• Ventilation in pediatric lung failure secondary to stem cell transplantation. We aim to assess the scope of PARDS  in these patients, characterize the underlying pathophysiology and to formulate ventilation strategies to  changes and formulate ventilation strategies to improve the outcome of this often fatal lung diseases post stem cell transplantation.

• Improving pediatric intensive care for families. Intensive care treatment of children is a major stress factor for patients and their families. We are aiming to understand the relationships of families and the ICU environment, to identify stressors and protective factors, in order to provide care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values.

• Ultrashort inspiratory times homogenize ventilation distribution in an inhomogeneous two-compartment model of the neonatal lung. Baumgartner J, Klotz D, Schneider H, Schumann S, Fuchs H. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2021 Feb;56(2):418-423. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25193. Epub 2020 Dec 14.
• High-flow nasal cannula vs standard respiratory care in pediatric procedural sedation: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Klotz D, Seifert V, Baumgartner J, Teufel U, Fuchs H. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2020 Oct;55(10):2706-2712. doi: 10.1002/ppul.24975. Epub 2020 Jul 29.
• Non-invasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in preterm infants: a randomised controlled cross-over trial.
• Klotz D, Schneider H, Schumann S, Mayer B, Fuchs H. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2018 Jul;103(4):F1-F5. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-313190. Epub 2017 Sep 16.
• Trigger performance of five pediatric home ventilators and one ICU ventilator depending on circuit type and system leak in a physical model of the lung. Baumgartner J, Schmidt J, Klotz D, Schneider H, Schumann S, Fuchs H. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022 Mar;57(3):744-753. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25791. Epub 2021 Dec 22.
• Permissive hypercapnia for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in immunocompromised children: A single center experience. Fuchs H, Rossmann N, Schmid MB, Hoenig M, Thome U, Mayer B, Klotz D, Hummler HD. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 20;12(6):e0179974. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179974. eCollection 2017. PMID: 28632754 Free PMC article.

• Arbeitsgruppe “Klinische Atemphysiologie” , Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Schumann, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
• German Neonatal Network (GNN)

Stiftungsfonds – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Jan und Berta Schmidt-Stiftung, Burghausen, Germany