Abstract
Background: Children with neurological impairment often suffer from insufficient airway secretion clearance, which substantially increases their respiratory morbidity. The goal of the study was to assess the clinical feasibility of high frequency chest wall compression (HFCWC) therapy in neurologically impaired children with respiratory symptoms.
Methods: This was a single-center, investigator initiated, prospective study. Twenty two patients were studied for 12 months before and 12 months after initiation of HFCWC therapy, 15 patients were followed up for additional 12 months. The threshold of compliance with HFCWC therapy was 70%. The amounts of pulmonary exacerbations, which required hospitalization, were recorded.
Results: Forty five percent of study patients required hospital admission before initiation of HFCWC therapy. This rate decreased to 36% after the first year of treatment and to 13% after the second year of treatment. There was a statistically significant reduction of the number of hospital days at follow-up relative to before treatment. Use of either the cough assist device or tracheostomy did not significantly interact over time with hospitalization days.
Conclusions: Prolonged HFCWC therapy may reduce the number of hospitalizations in neurologically impaired children.
Footnotes
- Ms. Kathryn Fitzgerald; kfitzgerald{at}maimonidesmed.org, Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York, United States
Conflict of interest statements: Kathryn Fitzgerald served as a speaker at a single conference for HillRom, Inc in 2011. Jessica Dugre has no conflict of interest related to the study Sobhan Pagala has no conflict of interest related to the study Peter Homer has no conflict of interest related to the study Michael Marcus has no conflict of interest related to the study Mikhail Kazachkov served as a speaker for HillRom, Inc at a single conference in 2011
- Copyright © 2013 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.