Pediatric aerosol therapy guidelines. Indications, techniques, and dosages

Delivery of medication in aerosol form to the pediatric population is an important therapeutic module. Aerosol therapy allows rapid medication effects, reduces systemic side effects, and provides uniform results in comparable clinical presentations if preparation techniques and dosages are appropriate. The effectiveness of aerosol therapy is dependent upon several key factors, and techniques developed to emphasize these factors will maximize aerosol delivery into the tracheobronchial tree. Indications for medical aerosol therapy are specific for children, and individualized treatment can be structured for a wide variety of pulmonary disorders. Proper and successful administration of aerosol therapy to the infant or child requires a comprehensive amount of skill and knowledge on the part of the respiratory therapy practitioner. Guidelines discussed in this paper will assist the respiratory care practitioner in achieving optimal results in treating airway disease in the pediatric patient.