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Published on: November 30, 2022
COVID-19 pneumonia successfully managed with high-flow nasal cannula in a 15-year-old boy
Gap van Gorp1, Pjlt Sanders2, D A van Waardenburg3
1Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands giel.van.gorp@mumc.nl.
Insights
This case study highlights high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) as effective respiratory support for a pediatric COVID-19 pneumonia patient. The 15-year-old fully recovered with HFNC therapy, demonstrating its success in managing severe respiratory distress.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Respiratory medicine
Background:
- A fully immunized 15-year-old presented with severe respiratory symptoms suggestive of pneumonia.
- The patient tested positive for COVID-19 via PCR, with CT findings consistent with viral pneumonia.
Observation:
- Initial treatment included antibiotics and chloroquine.
- Respiratory deterioration necessitated high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) support.
Findings:
- HFNC therapy led to a rapid decrease in respiratory rate and oxygen requirements.
- The patient was successfully weaned off HFNC within 7 days.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the efficacy of HFNC as a respiratory support modality in pediatric COVID-19 pneumonia.
- Early and appropriate respiratory support can lead to favorable outcomes in critically ill pediatric patients with COVID-19.
Abstract:
We report an otherwise healthy, fully immunised 15-year-old boy who was transferred to our Pediatric intensive care unit with 4 days of fever, dry cough, increased work of breathing and impending respiratory failure. Two days prior, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was prescribed for lower airway symptoms resembling pneumonia. PCR of the nasopharyngeal swab revealed an active COVID-19 infection (Ct 19). The CT scan showed significant ground-glass opacities highly associated with COVID-19 (COVID-19 reporting and data system 4). Antibiotics were continued and chloroquine was given for 5 days. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was started as respiratory support therapy with rapid decrease of tachypnoea and oxygen demand. HFNC was successfully stopped after 7 days. The patient made full clinical recovery. This case illustrates HFNC as a successful respiratory support therapy in a paediatric patient with an active COVID-19 pneumonia.
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