OXYGEN THERAPY

OXYGEN THERAPY

INTRODUCTION

          Oxygen therapy means the administration of oxygen into the body by different ways. The oxygen is necessary to control anoxaemia which may be caused due to a lack of oxygen in the inspired air, depressed respiratory center, or inadequate gaseous exchange at the lung level.

          Oxygen is started when the child suffers from tachypnoea, cyanosis or hypoxia.

DEFINITION

          Oxygen therapy is defined as the administration of oxygen into the body by different methods when there is lack of oxygen in the body or difficulty in respiration.

METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION OF OXYGEN

          There are mainly 5 methods are used to administer the oxygen. They are the following

1. Nasal catheter
2. Oxygen by mask
3. Oxygen tent
4. Oxygen hood
5. Incubator

1. Nasal Catheter

          This method may be used for older children. The catheter should be checked for the potency and the flow rate adjusted as prescribed. A catheter of number four to six is used and only 7.5 – 10 cm may be inserted in the nasopharynx, after adjusting the flow rate in the water. It is inserted through the nostril into the nasopharynx. It is removed every 8 hrs and a new catheter is inserted, using other nostril alternately. The oral hygiene should be maintained. Amount administered according to the age as follows.

For infants              :        1 liter/m

For young children :        2 liters/m

For older children    :        4 liters/m

2. Oxygen by Mask

          It is safe to use an oxygen mask even for the neonate. The size of the mask can be chosen according to the patients size. It should be well fitted over the nose and mouth to prevent escape of oxygen and to prevent discomfort. It may be removed every four hours for wiping out the face and for providing comfort to the child. Then it should be reapplied. Amount of flow for an infant is 1-2 litres/minute and for children 2-3 liters/minutes according to the doctors prescription.

3. Oxygen Tent

          Oxygen tent is made up of plastic material to prevent absorption of the oxygen. The flow of oxygen should be directed toward the front of the patients face. To start with 6-8 litres oxygen is circulated in the tent to adjut the concentration and then, 2-4 litres/minutes are adjusted.

4. Oxygen Hood

          An oxygen hood is a small box like chamber to fit just the head of an infant. It is transparent and made of plastic. It helps to supply humidified oxygen. The amount of oxygen required for a neonate is 1.5 litre/minute and for an older infant, it is 2 litres/minute.

5. INCUBATOR

          If a neonate is placed in an incubator and requires oxygen, it can be provided with the oxygen through a port for passing tubes. The humidified oxygen is administered into the incubator.

Precautions to be taken while administering oxygen

1. Oxygen cylinder should be checked to see that it is filled.
2. A child may be placed in propped up position.
3. Oxygen flow rate should be adjusted before insertion.
4. Humidified oxygen helps to prevent drying of the mucus membrane of the respiratory passage and to prevent thickening of secretions. Therefore humidified oxygen should be administered.
5. For most of the conditions, 40 – 50% concentration of oxygen is required. In specific conditions, physicians presentation should be followed.
6. Observation of color of skin and mucus membrane, respiration and pulse should be recorded.

 

Dangers of Oxygen therapy with high concentration

1. Retrolental Fibroplasia :

A high concentration of oxygen for prolonged period can damage the immature retinal blood vessels in a premature infant.

2. Carbon Dioxide Nacrosis:

In some children hypoxia becomes a stimulus for respiration. With administration of oxygen this stimulus is removed and there is retention of Co₂ which leads to Co₂ nacrosis.

3. Atelectasis may occur if the child has any airway obstruction.

CONCLUSION

          Oxygen therapy is the administration of oxygen into the body by different methods like nasal catheter, oxygen by mask, oxygen tent, oxygen hood, incubator etc. This procedure is done when the child is found suffering from tachypnoea, cyanosis or hypoxia. So it is considered as an important procedure in pediatrics as it is important in saving the life of the baby.