Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist to Monitor Diaphragmatic Activity in Infantile Botulism

Infantile botulism is a potentially life-threatening neuromuscular disorder. It presents with descending paralysis that can involve the diaphragm and cause respiratory failure. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) provides synchronized bilevel positive pressure by using electrical diaphragmatic (Edi) signals. Diaphragmatic paresis is thought to be a contraindication for using NAVA. However, the use of a NAVA catheter allows continuous assessment of diaphragm activity in infantile botulism. We discuss a case of infantile botulism in an infant from central Pennsylvania who presented with poor oral feeding, hypothermia, and lethargy and progressed to develop apnea and acute respiratory failure. The infant was intubated and mechanically ventilated. A diagnosis of infantile botulism was confirmed through the detection of botulinum toxin in the infant’s stool, and the infant was treated with botulism immune globulin neutralizing antibodies. During his recovery phase, a NAVA catheter was placed, which allowed monitoring of Edi signals to gauge the return of diaphragm activity and to assist with the assessment of extubation readiness. We describe the trends in this infant’s Edi signals following administration of globulin neutralizing antibodies and the successful transition to invasive, and subsequently, noninvasive NAVA. Our report demonstrates the clinical utility of monitoring diaphragmatic activity using a NAVA catheter and that NAVA provided adequate respiratory support to an infant during the recovery phase of infantile botulism.