Help! Mold on trach guard!

[Peyton's Parents]

Last night we noticed the trach guard our daughter has been wearing each night has mold on it! We cleaned immeadiately, but thought all this time the nurses were cleaning. What potential problems may this have created? She has seemed fine but could there be serious damage to her lungs?

[Ann]

What color was the mold? It's possible that what you are seeing is pseudomonas, which likes to grow in moist environments. When Jack had a flare up of pseudomonas, you could see bright green (what looked like mold) in his vent circuits. I think a lot of trached kids are colonized with pseudomonas, but are generally asymptomatic. Just a thought.

[babysupermansmommy]

Anthony has had this build up in his vent tubing before. I will find it built up on some of the connection that are around his exhulation vavle. When I notice it I wash it right away. I have never had a problem with him getting sick. The first time it happened to took him to the doc but they said he was fine. The color i notice is useally a light gree/ whiteish color.

[JWorthington]

Sam is colonized with pseudomonas, and it is bright, almost fluorescent green.

Julie