PEDIATRICS Vol. 22 No. 3 September 1958, pp. 436-448
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THE ADMINISTRATION OF OXYGEN TO INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN

An Evaluation of Methods

Randolph Batson M.D.1 and William C. Young 1

1 Department of Pediatrics and the Poliomyelitis Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Oxygen therapy techniques have been discussed and data have been presented which support the contention that most commerically available equipment does not fulfill the prerequisites for adequate oxygen therapy, especially when such devices are to be used for the treatment of infants and small children.

The open-top oxygen box method for oxygen therapy is superior in every respect including efficiency, economy, and practicality. Observations supporting this have been reported.

The open-top oxygen box constructed with transparent material and equipped with humidification apparatus and cooling chamber, has the following advantages: The speed (10 minutes) with which one can obtain therapeutic concentrations of oxygen with satisfactory humidity and temperature; the maintenance of therapeutic concentrations of oxygen during patient care procedures; easy observation of patient through transparent plastic walls; claustrophobia is not experienced by patient; adequate wash out of carbon dioxide with no necessity for soda-lime tube; easy accessibility to patient for care, observation and conversation; ideal suitability for high humidity or "mist" treatment of tracheobronchitis and other upper respiratory infections; portability (total weight 19 kg); economy (incurs less than half the expense of oxygen tents during operation and the initial cost of equipment is far less).

There are precautions that should be taken in employing open-top oxygen box therapy: due to air currents the device should not be placed in direct drafts or in the vicinity of electric fans. Because of the small size of the box in its present form it is impractical for use in children over the age of 8 years. Medical personnel should be constantly alert to the possibility of apertures that can develop because of improper application or rents in the sleeve.

Submitted on March 5, 1958
Accepted on April 3, 1958