Airway clearance therapy in acute paediatric respiratory illness: A state-of-the-art review

South African Journal of Physiotherapy

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Airway clearance therapy in acute paediatric respiratory illness: A state-of-the-art review
 
Creator Morrow, Brenda M.
 
Subject Health chest physiotherapy; physical therapy; paediatric; airway clearance therapy; lower respiratory tract infection; acute
Description Background: Despite unclear evidence of effectiveness or safety, airway clearance therapy (ACT) is frequently performed in infants and children with acute pulmonary disease.Objectives: The aim of this review was to critically synthesise published evidence, expert opinion and pathophysiological principles to describe the indications, effects, precautions and application of commonly used ACT modalities for managing infants and children with acute pulmonary disease.Method: A comprehensive narrative review of published literature was conducted. Articles describing paediatric populations were prioritised, but adult and animal studies were also considered where appropriate.Results: There is a dearth of high-level evidence supporting the use of ACT in acutely ill infants and children. Conversely, studies have highlighted the lack of effect of different modalities for a variety of conditions, and in some cases serious associated complications have been reported.Airway clearance therapy may be considered when there is retention of pulmonary secretions, and the consequential airway obstruction impacts either acutely on respiratory mechanics and gaseous exchange and/or has the potential for long-term adverse sequelae [a condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury]. However, it should not be considered a routine intervention.Conclusion: Airway clearance therapy should not be performed routinely in children admitted to hospital with acute respiratory conditions. Patients should be clinically assessed and treatment planned according to individual presentation, in those with signs and symptoms that are potentially amenable to ACT.Clinical implications: This review can serve as a guide for physiotherapists in the respiratory management of children with acute respiratory illness, as well as identifying areas for clinical research.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2019-06-25
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Literature Review
Format text/html application/epub+zip application/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajp.v75i1.1295
 
Source South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Vol 75, No 1 (2019); 12 pages 2410-8219 0379-6175
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1295/1640 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1295/1639 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1295/1641 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1295/1638
 
Coverage Global — Paediatric
Rights Copyright (c) 2019 Brenda M. Morrow https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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