Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Oxygen Therapy in Children Under Five Years of Age with Respiratory Distress in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been used in children with bronchiolitis for a long time. Currently in the low-resource settings, the method of providing oxygen therapy via bubble CPAP (bCPAP) to children with respiratory distress is not standardized and the existing low-flow oxygen therapy has a high mortality rate. OBJECTIVES: To study the effectiveness and safety of bCPAP as a respiratory support in children with respiratory distress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) over a period of 3 months. Children with respiratory distress were administered with bCPAP oxygen therapy. Baseline demographic data, such as age, sex, weight, severity of illness was collected. Changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation, respiratory distress score and failure rate after bCPAP therapy were studied. RESULTS: During the study period, 30 children were recruited. Most common cause of respiratory distress requiring bCPAP was pneumonia (66.7%) followed by pleural effusion (20%) and bronchiolitis (13.3%). The median (IQR) CPAP duration and PICU stay in the study was 48 hours (27–48) and 4 days (4–8), respectively. Heart rate and respiratory rate, respiratory distress score improved significantly after CPAP therapy (p < 0.05). CPAP therapy failed in one child and required invasive ventilation. We did not observe any complications due to bCPAP therapy. CONCLUSION: The use of bCPAP in the treatment of respiratory distress is safe and effective. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Lalitha AV, Pujari CG, Raj JM. Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Oxygen Therapy in Children Under Five Years of Age with Respiratory Distress in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(11):847–854.