FIRST-line Support for Assistance in Breathing in Children (FIRST-ABC) Feasibility Study (FIRST-ABC)
Hypoxia, Respiratory Acidosis, Moderate/Severe Respiratory Distress
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Hypoxia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Eligible patients will fall into one of two groups:
Group A (Step-up)
- Age >36 weeks corrected gestational age and <16 years, AND
- Deemed to require non-invasive respiratory support by the treating clinician for an acute illness, AND
Satisfies one or more of the following criteria:
- Hypoxia (oxygen saturation <92% in fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) >0.40, or equivalent). FiO2 of 0.40 roughly equates to standard unhumidified nasal cannula oxygen delivered at 6 L/min or oxygen delivered via facemask without a rebreather bag at 6-10 L/min.
- Acute respiratory acidosis (pH <7.3 with a concomitant pCO2 >6.5 kPa)
- Moderate respiratory distress (use of accessory muscles, subcostal and intercostal recession, tachypnoea for age, grunting)
Group B (Step-down)
- Age >36 weeks corrected for gestation and <16 years, AND
Deemed to require non-invasive respiratory support by the treating clinician after extubation, following a spell of invasive ventilation
- Either immediately after extubation as a 'planned' procedure, irrespective of clinical condition ('planned') OR
- Prompted by deterioration in clinical condition within 72 hours after extubation ('rescue'). Clinical parameters to assess the need for NRS in this situation will be similar to point 3 in Group A.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Deemed by the treating clinician to require immediate intubation/invasive ventilation due to severe hypoxia, acidosis and/or respiratory distress, upper airway obstruction or recurrent apnoeas
- Tracheostomy in place
- Pre-existing air-leak syndrome (pneumothorax/pneumomediastinum)
- Midfacial/craniofacial anomalies (unrepaired cleft palate, choanal atresia) or had recent craniofacial surgery
- Agreed limitation of intensive care treatment plan in place ('not for intubation')
- On domiciliary non-invasive ventilation prior to PICU admission
- Managed on either HFNC and/or CPAP (or other form of non-invasive ventilation such as BiPAP) in the preceding 24 hours
- Previously recruited to this study during the same PICU admission
Cannot be treated with HFNC
- Unavailability of appropriate sized nasal prongs
- Unavailability of HFNC device
Cannot be treated with CPAP
- Unavailability of right size of face mask, prong or other patient interface
- Unavailability of CPAP device
Sites / Locations
- Barts Health NHS Trust
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
High flow nasal cannula (HFNC)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Heated humidified high flow nasal cannula therapy delivered at 2 L/kg/min gas flow rate (for children older than 10 kg in weight, an additional 0.5 L/kg/min per kilogram over 10 kg). Any approved device can be used to deliver HFNC
Continuous positive airway pressure delivered using any interface (hood, mask or prongs)