Inhaled bronchodilators are often given in preterm infants with evolving or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, it is unclear which patients may benefit from it and when it is the best time to start treatment. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a noninvasive method for assessing lung mechanics that proved sensitive to airway obstruction reversibility in children and adults. FOT does not need patient cooperation, which is ideal for infants. Bedside tools for applying FOT in infants during spontaneous breathing and different respiratory support modes are becoming available. This case report illustrates for the first time that FOT has potential value in assessing airway obstruction reversibility in preterm infants, informing which infants may manifest a clinical benefit from the treatment with bronchodilators.
Inhaled bronchodilators are often given in preterm infants with evolving
or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, it is unclear which
patients may benefit from it and when it is the best time to start
treatment. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a noninvasive
method for assessing lung mechanics that proved sensitive to airway
obstruction reversibility in children and adults. FOT does not need
patient cooperation, which is ideal for infants. Bedside tools for
applying FOT in infants during spontaneous breathing and different
respiratory support modes are becoming available. This case report
illustrates for the first time that FOT has potential value in assessing
airway obstruction reversibility in preterm infants, informing which
infants may manifest a clinical benefit from the treatment with
bronchodilators.
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