Experience of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) for children with acute pneumonia caused by 2009A/H1N1pdm

Abstract

During the period from October to December 2009, we tried noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) management in 14 patients with pneumonia infected by novel influenza A (A/H1N1pdm) virus, aged 4 to 12 years old, who had respiratory distress with hypoxemia (SpO₂ <95% under oxygen), but without unconsciousness. NPPV management made improvement of respiratory distress within 24 hours in 12 patients. However, NPPV intervention was not accepted in another 8-year-old patient, and did not improve respiratory distress in the other 9-year-old patient. Further investigation is necessary to determine effects of NPPV management in children with pneumonia infected by A/H1N1pdm.