title: Use of continuous positive airway pressure during stabilisation and retrieval of infants with suspected bronchiolitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infants with viral bronchiolitis are often hospitalised with a proportion requiring respiratory support. The aim of this review was to examine the use of nasal prong continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a management strategy for infants with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, who required stabilisation and transport to a tertiary centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective audit of infants with bronchiolitis requiring CPAP during transport between January 2003 and June 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nasal CPAP was initiated in 54 infants with 51 of these (34 ex-preterm, 17 term) subsequently continuing on CPAP during retrieval. Mean CPAP pressure was 7 cmH(2)O. Oxygenation improved between stabilisation and the end of retrieval (P < 0.01). During retrieval, there was no significant increase in transcutaneous CO(2), no infant required endotracheal ventilation and no adverse events were noted. Five infants were intubated within the first 24 h of admission at the receiving hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review demonstrated that use of nasal prong CPAP to transport infants with bronchiolitis was a safe management strategy in those with moderate to severe disease severity.
authors.affiliation: Newborn Emergency Transport Service, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. drpaulfleming@gmail.com
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Waterman
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: C Omar F
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Kamlin
authors.forename: Jenni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sokol
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D001990:Bronchiolitis, Viral / Q000628:therapy*; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014739:Victoria