Efficacy of a low-cost bubble CPAP system in treatment of respiratory distress in a neonatal ward in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory failure is a leading cause of neonatal mortality in the developing world. Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) is a safe, effective intervention for infants with respiratory distress and is widely used in developed countries. Because of its high cost, bCPAP is not widely utilized in low-resource settings. We evaluated the performance of a new bCPAP system to treat severe respiratory distress in a low resource setting, comparing it to nasal oxygen therapy, the current standard of care. METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized convenience sample study to test the efficacy of a low-cost bCPAP system treating newborns with severe respiratory distress in the neonatal ward of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, in Blantyre, Malawi. Neonates weighing >1,000 g and presenting with severe respiratory distress who fulfilled inclusion criteria received nasal bCPAP if a device was available; if not, they received standard care. Clinical assessments were made during treatment and outcomes compared for the two groups. FINDINGS: 87 neonates (62 bCPAP, 25 controls) were recruited. Survival rate for neonates receiving bCPAP was 71.0% (44/62) compared with 44.0% (11/25) for controls. 65.5% (19/29) of very low birth weight neonates receiving bCPAP survived to discharge compared to 15.4% (1/13) of controls. 64.6% (31/48) of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) receiving bCPAP survived to discharge, compared to 23.5% (4/17) of controls. 61.5% (16/26) of neonates with sepsis receiving bCPAP survived to discharge, while none of the seven neonates with sepsis in the control group survived. INTERPRETATION: Use of a low-cost bCPAP system to treat neonatal respiratory distress resulted in 27% absolute improvement in survival. The beneficial effect was greater for neonates with very low birth weight, RDS, or sepsis. Implementing appropriate bCPAP devices could reduce neonatal mortality in developing countries.

Outcomes of Patients with Respiratory Distress Treated with Bubble CPAP on a Pediatric Ward in Malawi.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of infants and young children with respiratory distress when treated with a novel, low-cost, stand-alone bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP) system in a resource-limited setting. METHODS: A non-randomized, convenience sample study in a pediatric unit in Blantyre, Malawi, 2013. Patients weighing ≤10 kg with respiratory distress were eligible. We compared outcomes for patients with bronchiolitis, pneumonia and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) after treatment with bCPAP. RESULTS: Seventy percent of patients treated with bCPAP survived. Outcomes were best for patients with bronchiolitis and worst for those with PJP. Most survivors (80%) showed improvement within 24 h. All treating physicians found bCPAP useful, leading to a change in practice. CONCLUSIONS: Bubble CPAP was most beneficial to patients with bronchiolitis. Children, who were going to get well, tended to get well quickly. Physicians believed the bCPAP system provided a higher level of care than nasal oxygen.

Efficacy of a low-cost bubble CPAP system in treatment of respiratory distress in a neonatal ward in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory failure is a leading cause of neonatal mortality in the developing world. Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) is a safe, effective intervention for infants with respiratory distress and is widely used in developed countries. Because of its high cost, bCPAP is not widely utilized in low-resource settings. We evaluated the performance of a new bCPAP system to treat severe respiratory distress in a low resource setting, comparing it to nasal oxygen therapy, the current standard of care. METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized convenience sample study to test the efficacy of a low-cost bCPAP system treating newborns with severe respiratory distress in the neonatal ward of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, in Blantyre, Malawi. Neonates weighing >1,000 g and presenting with severe respiratory distress who fulfilled inclusion criteria received nasal bCPAP if a device was available; if not, they received standard care. Clinical assessments were made during treatment and outcomes compared for the two groups. FINDINGS: 87 neonates (62 bCPAP, 25 controls) were recruited. Survival rate for neonates receiving bCPAP was 71.0% (44/62) compared with 44.0% (11/25) for controls. 65.5% (19/29) of very low birth weight neonates receiving bCPAP survived to discharge compared to 15.4% (1/13) of controls. 64.6% (31/48) of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) receiving bCPAP survived to discharge, compared to 23.5% (4/17) of controls. 61.5% (16/26) of neonates with sepsis receiving bCPAP survived to discharge, while none of the seven neonates with sepsis in the control group survived. INTERPRETATION: Use of a low-cost bCPAP system to treat neonatal respiratory distress resulted in 27% absolute improvement in survival. The beneficial effect was greater for neonates with very low birth weight, RDS, or sepsis. Implementing appropriate bCPAP devices could reduce neonatal mortality in developing countries.

What's new in global pediatric emergency medicine?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Interest in the areas of global health and international emergency medicine has increased dramatically in recent years. This article discusses some of the knowledge gained in these areas, particularly as it pertains to the delivery of pediatric emergency care in resource-limited settings. RECENT TRENDS: Advances in global health have come in many forms, including an increase in the quality and number of training programs available, the development of clinical guidelines and protocols that are locally applicable, attempts to decrease inequities in the delivery of and access to care and an increase in the sharing of knowledge through partnerships and electronic media. SUMMARY: Tremendous advances have been made in global health but there are still major obstacles to overcome. One of the areas that have yet to receive much attention is the delivery of pediatric emergency care. By working with our colleagues around the world and disseminating what we have learned, we can improve emergency care for all children.