Introduction:

acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are a major health problem in winter. The National Reference Center in Uruguay offers children with LRTI, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and high-flow nasal cannula (CNAF) in moderate care.

Objective:

to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and evolution of the children assisted in Special Respiratory Care Acute (CREA unit), in a national pediatric reference hospital.

Patients and methods:

retrospective, descriptive study. All children hospitalized for LRTI assisted in CREA who received NIV and / or CNAF between 1/1/13 and 12/31/16 were included in the study. Clinical records were reviewed. Variables: clinical characteristics, treatment, complications, evolution and destination.

Results:

a total of 650 children were assisted (348 with CNAF, 302 with NIV); male sex 63% (407). Bronchiolitis 63% (406), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was detected in 60% (388). Mean age in children receiving CNAF was 11 months (9 days - 108 months); mean duration of technique was 3 days. Required admission to intensive care unit (ICU): 12% (43); invasive ventilation (IV) 6% (22). Mean age in children receiving NIV 12 months (1-132 months); mean duration of technique 3 days. Required admission to the ICU 49 (16%); IV 29 (9.6%). There were no deaths or serious complications.

Conclusions:

85% of this group of children completed their treatment in the CREA unit. The percentage of children who required IV was low. The implementation of these techniques in moderate care reduced the need to enter an ICU and the need for IV.

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