Comparison of the Efficacies of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy and Non-invasive Nasal Cannula Ventilation in Preventing Intubation.

Objective: This study aimed to compare high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (nc-HFOT) and non-invasive nasal cannula ventilation (nc-NIV) in terms of intubation requirements.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted retrospectively on cases followed up in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between October 2019 and December 2021.

Results: Of all cases, 43 (55.8%) were male, and the median age was 16 months. The median PRISM-3 score for all cases was 2.5 (range: 0-3). Among the cases 45 cases (58.4%) received nc-HFOT treatment, and 32 cases (41.6%) received nc-NIV treatment. The median duration of respiratory support for all cases was 2 days, and 14 cases (18.2%) needed intubation. The median PICU stay day for all cases was 7 days, and the median hospital stay day was 11 days. The median age, PICU, and hospital stay days of the nc-NIV group were significantly higher (P < .05). In the logistic regression analysis, the probability of requiring intubation in cases initially nc-NIV was performed was found to be 4.95 times higher than those using nc-HFOT (OR: 4.95, 95% CI: 1.3-18.8, P = 0.01). Additionally, cases with underlying chronic diseases were found to have a 5.9 times increased likelihood of requiring intubation compared to those without (OR: 5.9, 95% CI: 1.41-24.5, P = .01). Five cases (6.5%) were lost during intensive care stay.

Conclusion: The application of nc-NIV increases intubation by 4.95 times compared to the application of nc-HFOT. The intubation rate in cases with underlying chronic diseases is also 5.9 times higher than those without.