Usefulness of nCPAP in infants with bronchiolitis: A clinical study

Abstract

Background: Bronchiolitis is characterized by edema and mucus secretions. It is common in infants. The present study was conducted to assess usefulness of CPAP in infants with bronchiolitis. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 68 children of 1 month to 1 years of age of both genders. All patients were divided into 2 groups of 34 each. Group I received bubble CPAP in addition to the standard care and group II received standard care, which included maintenance of adequate hydration and oxygenation. All children were monitored continuously and respiratory rate, SA score and Modified Pediatric Society of New Zealand Severity Score (MPSNZ-SS) was compared. Results: Group I had 20 boys and 14 girls and group II had 18 boys and 16 girls. Respiratory rate was 72 and 68 respectively in group I and II. SA score was 4.3 and 3.9 respectively in group I and II. MPSNZ-SS was 12.5 and 11.8 respectively in group I and II. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Respiratory rate after 1 hour was 9 and 6 respectively in group I and II. SA score was 0.82 and 0.43 respectively in group I and II. MPSNZ-SS was 2.4 and 1.7 respectively in group I and II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Authors found that nCPAP is an effective method of reducing respiratory distress in infants suffering from bronchiolitis.