High-flow nasal cannula in children with asthma exacerbation: A review of current evidence

Abstract

Asthma is the commonest obstructive airway disease and the leading cause of morbidity in children. In the pediatric population, acute exacerbations of asthma are a frequent cause of presentations and hospital admissions. An acute asthma exacerbation is potentially life-threatening; it is predominantly treated using conventional oxygen therapy with bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. The treatment of those who do not respond to conventional therapy is escalated to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) before invasive ventilation. Although NIPPV has demonstrated benefits and safety, it still has limitations such as treatment intolerance caused mainly by discomfort and complications. High-flow oxygen therapy administered through a nasal cannula (HFNC) provides respiratory support with adequate airway humidity and has demonstrated safety and benefits in clinical practice. In the present review, we discuss HFNC and variations in HFNC use, focusing on its feasibility and current evidence of using it on children with asthma exacerbations.

Keywords: Asthma exacerbation; Children; Conventional oxygen therapy; High-flow nasal cannula; Narrative review; Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.