Feeding during High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Bronchiolitis: Associations with Time to Discharge

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care
• Respiratory medicine
• Neonatal and infant care

Background:

• High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is common for pediatric bronchiolitis.
• Optimal feeding practices during HFNC are unclear.
• Impact of feeding on discharge time and adverse events needs investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if feeding during HFNC therapy affects hospital discharge time.
• To assess the association between feeding and adverse events in children with bronchiolitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 1-24 month olds receiving HFNC for bronchiolitis.
• Categorized feeding as fed (exclusively oral or mixed) or not fed.
• Primary outcome: time to discharge after HFNC cessation.

Main Results:

• 78% of children were fed during HFNC, 50% exclusively orally.
• Feeding was associated with a shorter time to discharge (HR 2.17).
• Adverse events like aspiration and intubation were infrequent.

Conclusions:

• Feeding children during HFNC for bronchiolitis may reduce time to discharge.
• Feeding-related adverse events were rare.
• Further controlled studies are needed to confirm findings and guide practice.