EFFICACY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF DIFFERENT MODES OF OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION IN CHILDREN - IMPLICATIONS FOR A COMMUNITY-HOSPITAL

Eighty under-five children admitted in the pediatric ward,vith acute r espiratory distress requiring oxygen inhalation were prospectively stu died, Oxygen was administered to all the children by head box, face ma sk, nasopharyngeal catheter, and twin-holed prenasal catheter in a pre determined sequence, Oxygen was delivered at a flow rate of 4 l/min in the head box and by face mask and at a rate of 1 l/min for nasopharyn geal catheter and twin-holed prenasal catheter, There was a significan t rise in paO(2) and SaO(2) values with all the oxygen delivery method s, The number of children who achieved paO(2) of >90 mmHg with oxygen delivered by head box was 53 (69 per cent), with face mask 37 (57 per cent), with nasopharyngeal catheter 13 (26 per cent), and with twin-ho led prenasal catheter 18 (25 per cent), In view of high acceptability of twin-holed prenasal catheter, a further pilot study involving 10 ch ildren was carried out to compare the efficacy of head box and twin-ho led prenasal catheter at an identical oxygen how rate of 4 l/min, The number of children achieving paO(2) of >90 mmHg were comparable, i.e. seven (70 per cent) and eight (80 per cent) when the oxygen was delive red by head box and twin-holed prenasal catheter, respectively, It is concluded that both head box and twin-holed prenasal catheter are equa lly effective, acceptable and safe methods for administration of oxyge n to children with acute respiratory disorders, In view of the cost-ef fectiveness, and easy availability and affordability of twin-holed pre nasal catheter, it should be popularized in the small hospitals in the community, while head box should be reserved for use in the referral hospitals.