Outcomes of High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy on the Vital Signs of Children with Lower Respiratory Tract Diseases

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) therapy on clinical findings and outcome before, during and after the implementation, by comparing changes in vital signs [respiratory rate (RR), heart rate, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2)] in children with lower respiratory tract disease. Methods: In this prospective observational study, clinical characteristics and outcomes of 32 children with bronchiolitis and pneumonia treated with HFNC in the pediatric emergency department were compared. Demographical and clinical features, changes in vital signs before and after treatment, and outcomes of all cases were determined and compared between two diagnostic groups. Results: The age of children with bronchiolitis (n=11) and pneumonia (n=21) treated by HFNC was between 1.5 and 204 months (mean: 24.59±38.46, median: 10 months). When compared with the baseline values, all vital sign measurements in mean decreased significantly from the 1st hour after the treatment (p<0.05). In all children, RR decreased significantly from the 1st hour after the treatment. The decline in mean RR continued till the 4th hour after treatment and reached the lowest level at the 8th hour. SpO2 values increased significantly at the 1st hour after treatment, and this increase continued in the next hours. The highest mean SpO2 was measured at the 24th hours after treatment. There was no significant difference in the mean values of vital signs between two diagnostic groups (p>0.05). Any probable adverse effects related with HFNC treatment were not observed. Conclusion: Since favorable outcomes observed in vital signs in children with lower respiratory tract diseases from the 1st hour after the treatment and no side effects related with HFNC treatment were observed, HFNC therapy can be considered an effective and reliable method.