Nasal Suctioning Therapy Among Infants With Bronchiolitis Discharged Home From the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Suctioning in the management of bronchiolitis: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Bronchiolitis accounts for a considerable number of Emergency Department (ED) visits by infants each year and is the leading cause of respiratory infection in children 2 years of age and younger. Suctioning remains one of the main supportive treatments, but suctioning practices of nasal aspiration and deep suctioning vary among practitioners in bronchiolitis management. Our objective was to explore associations between suction type and respiratory distress, oxygen saturation, and markers of respiratory compromise such as airway escalation, disposition, ED length of stay (LOS), and outpatient outcomes.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study on infants (aged 2-23 months) in a pediatric ED with bronchiolitis from September 2022 to April 2023. Infants with tracheostomies, muscular weakness, and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation were excluded. Infants were grouped into nasal aspiration, deep suctioning, or combination groups. Mean differences in respiratory scores (primary outcome) and oxygen saturation were measured at three timepoints: pre-suction, 30 and 60 min post-suction. Escalation to airway adjuncts, disposition, and ED LOS were also recorded. Discharged families were contacted for phone call interviews.

RESULTS

Of 121 enrolled infants (nasal aspiration n = 31, deep suctioning n = 68, combination n = 22), 48% (n = 58) were discharged, and 90% (n = 52) completed the study call. There was no interaction between suction type and timepoint (p = 0.63) and no effect between suction type and respiratory score (p = 0.38). However, timepoint did have an effect on respiratory score between 0 and 30 min post-suction (p = 0.01) and between 0 and 60 min post-suction (p < 0.001). Admitted infants received more deep suctioning or a combination of suctioning compared to those discharged (p = 0.005). Suction type had no effect on oxygen saturation, airway adjunct escalation, length of stay, or outpatient outcomes (p > 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in respiratory scores or outpatient outcomes between suction types. Deep suctioning may not be needed in all infants with bronchiolitis.

Advances in pediatric emergency from 2023

Most children receive emergency care by general emergency physicians and not in designated children's hospitals. There are unique considerations in the care of children that differ from the care of adults. Many management principles can be extrapolated from adult studies, but the unique pathophysiology of pediatric disease requires specialized attention and management updates. This article highlights ten impactful articles from the year 2023 whose findings can improve the care of children in the Emergency Department (ED). These studies address pediatric resuscitation, traumatic arrest, septic shock, airway management, nailbed injuries, bronchiolitis, infant fever, cervical spine injuries, and cancer risk from radiation (Table 1). The findings in these articles have the potential to impact the evaluation and management of children (Table 2).