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The National Day of the Tracheostomized Child is a commemorative date in health defined by the Brazilian Academy of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ABOPe), Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery (ABORL-CCF) and by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics.

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The date was instituted by Law No. 14.249/2021  with the aim of promoting awareness and clarification actions on the necessary care for children who undergo tracheostomies, sensitizing health professionals, parents, guardians and family members about the importance of multidisciplinary care for these children, as a way to reduce the risk of complications and death, as well as to encourage appropriate care actions for their protection and treatment.

Celebrated for the first time in 2022, the date also intends to contribute to the creation of public policies aimed at complying with official recommendations on care and conduct for tracheostomized children, as well as assisting in the organization of reference centers and in the hiring of Specialized professionals.

 

A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure for placing a cannula in the trachea, freeing the airways to allow breathing. It is an alternative to establish breathing in patients who have obstruction to the passage of air in the larynx.

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According toFirst Clinical Consensus and National Recommendations on Tracheostomized Children of the Brazilian Academy of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ABOPe) and Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), it is estimated that between 0.5% and 2% of children undergoing prolonged orotracheal intubation require tracheostomy, most of them younger than 1 year of age.

This procedure is usually performed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, after hospital discharge, one of the common problems is the lack of destination for the child's medical follow-up.

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This is a population at risk who, because they do not breathe naturally through their nose, are at greater risk of local infections of the stoma, airway infections, aspiration accidents and even fatal airway obstructions. These families live the anxiety and anguish of the continuous care of their children, the majority under 3 years of age, living under these risks. Mothers and fathers have to step away from their activities and travel frequently to places where people are not prepared to answer their questions and offer the necessary care.

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In 2023, Escola Paulista de Medicina will hold its event on 02/24/2023.