High Flow Oxygen Therapy vs Standard Care in Infants With Viral Bronchiolitis

High Flow Oxygen Therapy vs Standard Care in Infants With Viral Bronchiolitis

A randomized control trial of 130 infants admitted to the paediatric high care admission ward will be enrolled, and randomized to either "high flow humidified oxygen" or "standard therapy".

A randomized control trial of 130 infants admitted to the paediatric high care admission ward will be enrolled. Infants between 1 month and 2 years of age who fulfill criteria for enrollment shall be considered eligible. Informed consent from parents or legal guardians shall be obtained. Infants shall be randomized to either "standard therapy" or "high flow humidified oxygen". Measurements of heart rate, respiratory rate, work of breathing (Tal score and WCAS), oxygen saturation and oxygen requirements shall be recorded.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of viral bronchiolitis
• Not requiring intubation and ventilation
• Admitted to high care unit
• With moderate/severe respiratory distress (Tal score >6)
• Saturations <92% in room air

Exclusion Criteria:

• congenital cardiac disease
• presence of multiorgan failure/multisystemic disease
• previously ventilated
• craniofacial abnormalities
• nasal pathology
• decreased level of consciousness
• Ex-prem <34 weeks
• Possible impending respiratory failure