Application of nasal continuous positive airway pressure preferential ventilation strategy in the treatment of infant severe pneumonia

Objective To investigate the value of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in the treatment of severe pneumonia. Methods The clinical data of 59 severe pneumonia infants who received NCPAP preferential ventilation strategy were retrospectively analyzed. Results After treatment, 50 infants were effective and 9 infants were ineffective. Before treatment, the age, RR, HR between effective group and ineffective group had no significant differences (P > 0.05). But the levels of PaCO2, PaO2/FiO2 in ineffective group were significantly higher than those in effective group and the level of PaO2 in ineffective group was significantly lower than that in effective group (P <0.05). In effective group, the levels of PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly increased after treatment for 1, 12 and 24 h, and the levels of PaCO2, RR and HR were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusions NCPAP preferential ventilation strategy can reduce the use of invasive mechanical ventilation, improve oxygenation, ease dyspnea and make vital signs stable. Key words: Pneumonia; Infant; Continuous positive airway pressure; Preferential ventilation strategy