OPP8 HOME RESPIRATORY SUPPORT FOR CARDIOPULMONARY INDICATIONS IN CHILDREN

Hazirah Ahmad, Amanil ‘Ula Hassan
Pediatric Respiratory Unit, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Kedah

Introduction 

Home respiratory support is part of the technological advancement in medical field. Children with chronic lung disease, neuromuscular disorder, hemodynamically significant congenital cardiac anomalies, and airway disease may benefit from home respiratory support. This will improve the lung functions, reduce pulmonary resistance, improve minute ventilation and reduce the work of the breathing.

Objectives

To determine the sociodemographic characteristics, and the clinical indications and to describe the outcomes of children initiated home respiratory support.

Methodology 

Retrospective cross-sectional study includes patients from birth to 18 years old who were commenced on home respiratory support between July 2022 till April 2024. We excluded patient with progressive medical illness and sleep disordered breathing. 

Results 

A total of 97 children were initiated on home respiratory support during the study period. 34 patients were excluded as the inclusion criteria were unmet. 63 patients were recruited with median age at intervention was 6 [Interquartile range 5] months old. Cardiopulmonary indications include chronic lung disease (63.5%), primary airway disease (22.2%), congenital heart diseases (9.5%) and combined diagnosis (4.8%). Majority were born preterm (54%). We reported reduction in frequency of lower respiratory tract infections (p<0.001) following intervention. The weight gain median pre intervention was 0.79kg [1.0] and 1.36kg [1.23] post intervention (p<0.001). All clinical parameters improved following intervention which include saturations level (p<0.001), heart rate (p<0.001) and degree of chest recession (p<0.001). 

Conclusion

Cardiopulmonary disease significantly contributes to recurrent respiratory tract infections, admissions and prolonged hospitalization in children. These conditions commonly improved with home respiratory support. The result of this study is comparable to the previous studies. Home respiratory support is beneficial in improving clinical outcome, facilitate early discharge and may provide better quality of life in children.