High-Flow Oxygen Reduces Escalation of Bronchiolitis Care

Investigators from multiple institutions conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the effect on treatment failure of high-flow therapy in infants with bronchiolitis and hypoxemia. Infants <12 months of age with clinical signs of bronchiolitis and a need for supplemental oxygen therapy were eligible. Bronchiolitis was defined according to accepted guidelines as symptoms of respiratory distress associated with symptoms of a viral respiratory tract infection. Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected at baseline.

Participants were randomized to receive either high-flow oxygen at a rate of 2 L/kg per body weight/min or standard therapy (supplemental oxygen through a nasal cannula, up to a maximum of 2 L/min). In both groups, the goal was to maintain an oxygen saturation level in the range of 92%–98%. Weaning of oxygen in both groups was permitted at any time to …