Clinical characteristics of children treated with high-frequency oscillation ventilation

High-frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) is a commonly used therapeutic modality in the pediatric intensive care unit, and this study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics of children treated with HFOV. The clinical data of children admitted to the PICU of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2022, who were treated with HFOV, were retrospectively collected and the clinical features data were analyzed. A total of 52 children treated with HFOV were included in this study, with a higher number of infants compared to older children (43 infants vs 9 older children, P <.05). The clinical manifestations of the children were multi-systemic diseases. 73.1% of the children were diagnosed with severe pneumonia, 23.1% had pulmonary hypertension, 25.0% were diagnosed with septicemia, and more than half of the children had underlying diseases in different systems, which required additional advanced support during treatment. In terms of pathogenesis, adenovirus (13.5%), Staphylococcus aureus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (11.5%), and fungal infections (23.1%) were frequently identified, with many children suffering from mixed infections. Complications were notable; 19.2% of the children experienced air leakage, while 63.5% had mucus plugging. Finally, 46.2% of the children improved and were discharged, while 36.5% unfortunately did not survive. Surviving infants had a lower average peak airway pressure with HFOV than the fatal group (P <.05), Additionally, the oxygenation index values were lower, and the P/F values (PaO2/FiO2 ratio) were higher in the survivors than in the fatal group (P <.05). Children treated with HFOV were predominantly infants and young children under 36 months old. These patients exhibited high mortality rates and impacted on multiple systems throughout the body, often with mixed infections. These children required more significant medical support and longer treatment times.