Effect of a high-flow open nasal cannula system on obstructive sleep apnea in children

Brian McGinley, Ann Halbower, Alan R. Schwartz, Philip L. Smith, Susheel P. Patil, Hartmut Schneider

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children is associated with significant morbidity. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treats obstructive apnea in children, but is impeded by low adherence. We, therefore, sought to assess the effect of warm humidified air delivered through an open nasal cannula (treatment with nasal insufflation [TNI]) on obstructive sleep apnea in children with and without adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: Twelve participants (age: 10 ± 1 years; BMI: 35 ± 14 kg/m2), with obstructive apnea-hypopnea syndrome ranging from mild to severe (2-36 events per hour) were administered 20 L/min of air through a nasal cannula. Standard sleep architecture, sleep-disordered breathing, and arousal indexes were assessed at baseline, on TNI, and on CPAP. Additional measures of the percentage of time with inspiratory flow limitation, respiratory rate, and inspiratory duty cycle were assessed at baseline and on TNI. RESULTS: TNI reduced the amount of inspiratory flow limitation, which led to a decrease in respiratory rate and inspiratory duty cycle. TNI improved oxygen stores and decreased arousals, which decreased the occurrence of obstructive apnea from 11 ± 3 to 5 ± 2 events per hour (P < .01). In the majority of children, the reduction in the apneahypopnea index on TNI was comparable to that on CPAP. CONCLUSIONS: TNI offers an alternative to therapy to CPAP in children with mild-to-severe sleep apnea. Additional studies will be needed to determine the efficacy of this novel form of therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)179-188
Number of pages10
JournalPediatrics
Volume124
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
  • TNI
  • Treatment of sleep apnea

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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