Noninvasive Positive Airway Pressure in the Pediatric Emergency Department for the Treatment of Acute Asthma Exacerbations (RCT BiPAP)
Asthma

About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Asthma focused on measuring Asthma, Pediatrics, BiPAP, Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 2-18 years old
- For subjects 3 years and older, a known history of asthma as diagnosed by the PCP or per the Vanderbilt problem list
- For children ages 2-3 years, four or more episodes of wheezing in the past year that lasted more than 1 day and affected sleep AND one of the following: parental history of asthma, a physician diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, or evidence of sensitization to aeroallergens
- Acute asthma exacerbation
- Pediatric Asthma Score (PAS) ≥ 8
- Parents willing and able to sign consent
- Children over the age of 6 willing to provide assent
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of congenital heart disease, chronic respiratory disease including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension or any chronic lung disease other than asthma
- History of sickle cell disease
- Recently diagnosed pneumonia
- Current tracheostomy, on home ventilator or home oxygen requirement
- Recent diabetic ketoacidosis
- Requiring immediate intubation
- Weight less than 5 kilograms
- Any contraindication to BiPAP use including altered mental status, recent bowel surgery, intractable vomiting, inability to protect airway
- A history of prematurity of ≤ 30 weeks gestation
Sites / Locations
- Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Other
Sham Comparator
Active Comparator
Control
Sham NIPPV
BiPAP
This group will receive all standard of care therapies as per the pediatric ED Asthma Severity Protocol.
This group will receive all standard of care therapies as per the pediatric ED Asthma Severity Protocol. All nebulized treatments will be given via the NIPPV/BiPAP machine. The pressure settings will be fixed at a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5-8 cm H2O.
This group will receive all standard of care therapies as per the pediatric ED Asthma Severity Protocol. All nebulized treatments will be given via the NIPPV/BiPAP machine. Settings will be adjusted based on the age and clinical presentation of the child.