Limited data exist regarding feeding pediatric patients managed on non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) modes that augment oxygenation and ventilation in the setting of acute respiratory failure. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to explore the safety of feeding patients managed on NRS with acute respiratory failure secondary to bronchiolitis. Children up to two years old with critical bronchiolitis managed on continuous positive airway pressure, bilevel positive airway pressure, or RAM cannula were included. Of the 178 eligible patients, 64 were reportedly nil per os (NPO), while 114 received enteral nutrition (EN). Overall equivalent in severity of illness, younger patients populated the EN group, while the NPO group experienced a higher incidence of intubation. Duration of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit and non-invasive respiratory support were shorter in the NPO group, though intubation eliminated the former difference. Within the EN group, ninety percent had feeds initiated within 48 h and 94% reached full feeds within 7 days of NRS initiation, with an 8% complication and <1% aspiration rate. Reported complications did not result in escalation of respiratory support. Notably, a significant improvement in heart rate and respiratory rate was noted after feeds initiation. Taken together, our study supports the practice of early enteral nutrition in patients with critical bronchiolitis requiring NRS.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends supportive care for the management of bronchiolitis. However, patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe (critical) bronchiolitis define a unique group with varying needs for both non-invasive and invasive respiratory support. Currently, no guidance exists to help clinicians discern who will progress to invasive mechanical support. Here, we sought to identify key clinical features that distinguish pediatric patients with critical bronchiolitis requiring invasive mechanical ventilation from those that did not. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary pediatric medical center. Children ≤2 years old admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) from January 2015 to December 2019 with acute bronchiolitis were studied. Patients were divided into non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) groups; the IMV group was further subdivided depending on timing of intubation relative to PICU admission. Of the 573 qualifying patients, 133 (23%) required invasive mechanical ventilation. Median age and weight were lower in the IMV group, while incidence of prematurity and pre-existing neurologic or genetic conditions were higher compared to the NRS group. Multi-microbial pneumonias were diagnosed more commonly in the IMV group, in turn associated with higher severity of illness scores, longer PICU lengths of stay, and more antibiotic usage. Within the IMV group, those intubated earlier had a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and PICU length of stay, associated with lower pathogen load and, in turn, shorter antibiotic duration. Taken together, our data reveal that critically ill patients with bronchiolitis who require mechanical ventilation possess high risk features, including younger age, history of prematurity, neurologic or genetic co-morbidities, and a propensity for multi-microbial infections.

Limited data exist regarding feeding pediatric patients managed on non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) modes that augment oxygentation and ventilation in the setting of respiratory failure. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to explore the safety of feeding patients managed on NRS with acute respiratory failure secondary to bronchiolitis. Children up to 2 years old with critical bronchiolitis managed on RAM, CPAP, or BiPAP were included. Of the 178 eligible patients, 64 were reportedly NPO while 114 were fed (EN). Overall equivalent in severity of illness, younger patients populated the EN group, while the NPO group experienced a higher incidence of intubation. Duration of PICU stay and NRS were shorter in the NPO group, though intubation eliminated the former difference. Within the EN group, ninety percent had feeds initiated within 48 hours and 94% reached full feeds within 7 days of NRS initiation, with an 8% complication and <1% aspiration rate. Reported complications did not result in escalation of respiratory support. Notably, a significant improvement in heart rate and respiratory rate was noted after feeds initiation. Taken together, our study supports the practice of early enteral nutrition in patients with critical bronchiolitis requiring non-invasive respiratory support.

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