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Home oxygen therapy for children with chronic lung diseases
M Z Norzila1, B H Azizi, A W Norrashidah
1Jabatan Pediatrik, Institut Pediatrik, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Insights
Malaysia
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Home oxygen therapy programs are emerging in Malaysia.
- These programs facilitate early hospital discharge for children with respiratory insufficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a home oxygen therapy program for pediatric patients in Malaysia.
- To assess the impact of this program on hospital stay duration and associated costs.
Main Methods:
- Initiation of long-term oxygen therapy using oxygen concentrators for hypoxic patients.
- Inclusion criteria: persistent hypoxia, significant sleep desaturations, or pulmonary hypertension.
- Data collection on patient demographics, duration of oxygen therapy, and associated conditions.
Main Results:
- 71 pediatric patients, primarily with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and bronchiolitis obliterans, were enrolled.
- Median duration of home oxygen dependency was 3.5 months for BPD, but significantly longer for bronchiolitis obliterans (28 months).
- The program enabled early discharge, reducing hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Home oxygen programs are vital for managing pediatric respiratory disorders in Malaysia.
- Early discharge through home oxygen therapy shortens hospital stays, reduces costs, and minimizes family separation.
Unlabelled:
Home oxygen therapy programme is new in Malaysia. This programme enables children with respiratory insufficiency to be discharged home early.
Materials And Methods:
Long term oxygen therapy was initiated using an oxygen concentrator in patients who i) remained hypoxic while breathing room air, ii) experienced desaturations of more than 20% during sleep as seen in patients with severe laryngomalacia and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and iii) had pulmonary hypertension with or without polycythaemia. The median with first and third quartile values are presented for the quantitative variables.
Results:
A total of 71 patients mainly children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (32) and bronchiolitis obliterans (12) were discharged home on this programme. The median age at which home oxygen was initiated in children with BPD was 5.0 (Q1: 2, Q3: 8) months. The median total duration of oxygen requirement for BPD was 8.0 (Q1: 5, Q3: 12) months. The median duration of home oxygen dependency was 3.5 (Q1: 3, Q3: 6) months. However children with bronchiolitis obliterans required longer duration of oxygen therapy compared to children with BPD i.e. median duration of 28 months (Q1: 14.5, Q3: 66). In other respiratory conditions the mean duration of supplemental oxygen varies some of which may be life long.
Conclusions:
This paper has shown the importance of home oxygen program in children with respiratory disorders. It has significantly shortened hospital stay and thus saves hospital costs and prevents prolonged separation from the family.