Long-term home oxygen therapy in children: To whom, when, how?

Chronic hypoxemia in children worsens the course of chronic lung and heart diseases, a number of other organs and systems in children, causes development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary heart, disrupts growth and development, increases the risk of death. Correction of hypoxemia with long-term oxygen therapy, incl. at home, seems to be the most pathogenetically justified method of therapy for these disorders. The review, based on current literature data and authors own experience, provides information on the indications and epidemiology of home oxygen therapy (HOT), the mechanisms of its action in various clinical situations, the impact ongrowth and development of a child. It discusses normative values and necessary monitoring of oxygenation, management tactics for children requiring HOT and the method of weaning from oxygen. The important technical characteristics of providing long-term oxygen therapy at home are described in detail. © 2018, Pediatria Ltd. All rights reserved.