Non-Invasive Ventilation for Children: Effective for In-Home Treatment

Throughout the year, children commonly suffer from respiratory complications. When a respiratory infection becomes complex, it can lead to the hospitalization and subsequent need for ventilation services. For many children, the ventilation administered in the hospital is often done in the pediatric intensive care unit and involves non-invasive ventilation when possible. For some children, however, the advancing medical technology now allow for home use.

Non-invasive ventilation can treat both chronic and acute respiratory complications in children and infants. In fact, non-invasive ventilation is so versatile that it can even be provided in the home setting with proper administration and management by home health nurses and parents. Without the need for sedation, intubation or anesthesia, many parents find their child benefits effectively from non-invasive ventilation and the treatment leads to a speedy recovery when, if possible, the ventilation can be administered at home.

In addition to respiratory infections, there are other conditions that may result in the need for non-invasive ventilation. As a result, if your child suffers from conditions such as cystic fibrosis, congenital defects, sleep related disorders, Arnold-Chiari malformation, or even Crouzon syndrome, it may be necessary to use non-invasive ventilation.

As a parent, it is important to understand how non-invasive ventilation is administered. Using a head strap with Velcro, the face mask is attached to your child's face, usually requiring full coverage for the nose and mouth. For very small children, the use of the non-invasive ventilation can often come with some struggle until your child is used to the administration of the equipment. Without cooperation, however, your physician may insist on invasive ventilation which will definitely require longer hospital admission and even lead to potential health complications.