Efficacy of High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs Standard Oxygen Therapy or Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Children with Respiratory Distress: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy in providing respiratory support of children with acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), hypoxemia, and respiratory distress. Study design: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared HFNC and standard flow oxygen therapy or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and reported treatment failure as an outcome. Data were synthesized using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Compared with standard oxygen therapy, HFNC significantly reduced treatment failure (risk ratio [RR] 0.49, 95% CI 0.40-0.60, P < .001) in children with mild hypoxemia (arterial pulse oximetry [SpO2] >9..