Use of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in infants and children

Abstract

Heated, humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) therapy provides warmed, humidified oxygen to infants and children in respiratory distress at flow rates that deliver higher oxygen concentrations and some positive airway pressure compared with standard low-flow therapy. Increased use and experience is informing practice and establishing the benefits of HHHFNC use in a variety of clinical conditions. The focus of this practice point is to describe best practices for HHHFNC in (non- neonatal) paediatric patients with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress and to offer a safe, practical approach to oxygen delivery, and support.