[Oxygen therapy and assisted ventilation in children at home]

Home oxygen therapy is indicated in children with chronic obstructive lung disease when the oxygen content of arterial blood is decreased (oxygen partial pressure less than or equal to 50 mmHg). Three systems are available: compressed gas, bulk liquid, and oxygen concentrator. Oxygen may be administered via nasal cannulae, masks, hoods or endotracheal tubes 15 hours per day. FIO2 and SaO2 are periodically measured. Since 1972, when the experience of mechanical ventilation at home began with poliomyelitis teenagers, many children with neuromuscular diseases have been discharged from hospital with a ventilator. More recently, younger children with chronic lung diseases have also managed at home using intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Oral mechanical ventilation using pressure preset ventilators has been used in neuromuscular diseases; early and daily ventilation of children with paralytic respiratory muscles provides better development of the thoracic cage and of the lungs. Artificial ventilation can be performed by external means; we consider this type of ventilation as contraindicated as it causes thoracic deformities in young children.