Home oxygen therapy following neonatal intensive care

In a 12-month period 28 of 164 consecutive very low birthweight (VLBW) infants receiving intensive care within 48 h of birth at King's College Hospital developed chronic lung disease, (oxygen dependence beyond 28 days of age). Fifteen of the 28 infants were eligible for home oxygen therapy, but this was only practical, because of home circumstances, in 8 infants (4.9%). These 8 infants received home oxygen therapy. One further infant, born at term and suffering from pulmonary hypoplasia was also discharged home on oxygen therapy. Two infants subsequently required readmission due to a deterioration in their respiratory status and died. Three others required re-admissions (total duration 32 days) for respiratory problems. The median duration of home oxygen therapy was 17 weeks (range 4-486 days). We conclude that home oxygen therapy is needed by only a very small number of preterm infants and is appropriate for only a proportion of them. Parents need to be counselled carefully regarding the possibility that the need for oxygen might be protracted.