Noninvasive Ventilation During Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Transport: A Systematic Review*

Abstract

Objectives: Noninvasive ventilation is increasingly used in neonatal and pediatric patients, but the intensive care transport setting is lagging in terms of availability of noninvasive ventilation for children. The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to answer the question: In children 0 days to 18 years old, who are hospitalized with acute respiratory distress and require critical care transport, is noninvasive ventilation effective and safe during transport? Data Sources: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE (via Scopus), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, African Index Medicus, Web of Science Citation Index, and the World Health Organization Trials Registry. Study Selection: Two reviewers independently reviewed all identified studies for eligibility and quality. Data Extraction: Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using piloted data extraction forms. Data Synthesis: Data were not synthesized due to nature of studies included. Results: A total of 1,287 records were identified; no randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials were found. Eight observational studies, enrolling 858 patients were included, of these 60.4% were neonatal ICU and 39.6% were nonneonatal ICU patient transports. The mode of noninvasive ventilation during transport was continuous positive airway pressure in seven studies (708 patients) and high-flow nasal cannula in one study (150 patients). During transport on noninvasive ventilation, three of 858 patients (0.4%) required either intubation or escalation of noninvasive ventilation. In the 24 hours following transfer, 63 of 650 children (10%) transferred on noninvasive ventilation were intubated. The odds of intubation within 24 hours were significantly higher for continuous positive airway pressure transfer 60 of 500 (12%) compared with high-flow nasal cannula three of 150 (2%): odds ratio (95% CI) 6.68 (2.40–18.63), p value equals to 0.00003. Minor adverse events occurred in 1–4% of noninvasive ventilation transports. Conclusions: This review found observational study evidence of a rate of intubation or escalation of 0.4% during noninvasive ventilation transport of children 0–18 years old, with an in-transport adverse event rate of 1–4%. Further studies are required. If randomized trials are not possible, it is suggested that well-conducted observational studies are reported in a more standardized manner.

Use of Noninvasive Ventilation and High-Flow Nasal Cannulae Therapy for Infants and Children with Acute Respiratory Distress Outside of Paediatric Intensive Care: A review article

“…25 A summary of previous research evaluating the use of NIV and HFNCT during paediatric transport is presented in Table 2. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Unfortunately, all of the studies evaluating NIV and HFNCT outcomes during transport were observational in nature. Therefore, there is a need for RCTs comparing outcomes with HFNCT to those of CPAP and other modes of NIV during paediatric and neonatal transport.…”

“…Franklin et al 24 Boyle et al concluded that HFNCT was a safe option for transporting neonates, provided that the neonate was stable for 24 hours pre-transfer and certain pre-requisites were met concerning age, weight and flow at the time of transfer. 39 Moreover, the researchers noted that HFNCT usage was associated Table 2: Summary of selected research evaluating the use of noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannulae therapy during paediatric transport [32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Author and year of study Study design…”

“…34,35 Cheema et al noted that the rate of adverse events was low (1-4%) in a systematic review of eight observational studies evaluating NIV and HFNCT usage during paediatric transport. 38 Observed side-effects included apnoea and the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation or bag mask ventilation. However, only 0.4% required intubation or escalation of respiratory support during transport, although 10% required intubation within 24 hours of transfer.…”

“…However, only 0.4% required intubation or escalation of respiratory support during transport, although 10% required intubation within 24 hours of transfer. 38 Regardless of mode of respiratory support, specialised retrieval teams are essential to the safe transfer of patients. In an observational study of paediatric transfers over a six-month period, Barry and Ralston reported that patient retrieval by non-specialised teams was linked with complications during transfer.…”

“…However, only 0.4% required intubation or escalation of respiratory support during transport, although 10% required intubation within 24 hours of transfer. 38 …”