Bronchiolitis accounts for 16% of hospitalizations in US children under the age of 2 years, and over $500 million annually in healthcare spending.¹ There is currently no targeted treatment; severely ill children require intubation, putting them at risk for pneumonia and prolonged hospitalization. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is effective, but is rarely tolerated by young children. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), which delivers oxygen with a small amount of positive airway pressure, is better tolerated and is a well-established mode of ventilation in neonates. This was the first study examining the use of HFNC in infants with bronchiolitis.

Retrospective chart review in a single US PICU from 2005 to 2007.