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Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for infants: retrospective analysis of 54 patients treated in two tertiary care centres
Kubra Ozgok Kangal1,2, Bengusu Mirasoglu3
1Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, Gulhane Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is safe and effective for infants, even preterm. This study analyzed outcomes and challenges in pediatric patients receiving HBOT, finding positive results with no reported complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Critical Care
Background:
- Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is a medical therapy involving exposure to 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure.
- Limited data exists on HBOT outcomes and challenges in the pediatric population, particularly in infants.
- Infants represent a rare patient group for HBOT, necessitating further investigation into its safety and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the outcomes of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) in infants (≤12 months old).
- To describe any difficulties or complications encountered during HBOT in this specific patient population.
- To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of HBOT for treating various conditions in infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 54 infants (≤12 months) who underwent HBOT across two institutions.
- Data extraction included demographics, clinical presentation, HBOT indications, chamber type, oxygen delivery, treatment count, outcomes, and complications.
- Analysis focused on identifying trends and safety profiles in infant HBOT.
Main Results:
- The study included 54 infants with a median age of 3.5 months.
- Acute carbon monoxide intoxication was the primary indication for HBOT (n=32).
- Most patients (74%) experienced full resolution of acute signs with no reported HBOT-related complications; only one infant required mechanical ventilation.
Conclusions:
- Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) appears to be a safe and effective therapeutic option for infants.
- The findings support considering HBOT for indicated conditions in infants, including the preterm age group.
- Further research is warranted to expand the understanding of HBOT applications in pediatric care.
Introduction:
We aimed to analyse the outcomes of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) and describe difficulties encountered in infants, a rare patient population in this therapeutic intervention, with limited scientific reports.
Methods:
This was a retrospective analysis of patients 12 months old or younger who underwent HBOT in two different institutions. Demographic data, clinical presentation, HBOT indication, chamber type, oxygen delivery method, total number of treatments, outcome and complications were extracted from clinical records.
Results:
There were 54 infants in our study. The patients' median age was 3.5 (range 0-12) months. The major HBOT indication was acute carbon monoxide intoxication (n = 32). A total of 275 HBOT treatments were administered, mostly performed in multiplace chambers (n = 196, 71%). Only one patient (2%) required mechanical ventilation. Acute signs were fully resolved in the most patients (n = 40, 74%). No complications related to HBOT were reported.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that HBOT may be a safe and effective treatment for infants. Paediatricians should consider HBOT when indicated in infants even for the preterm age group.
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