Improving ventilation & reducing the work of breathing in infants

and children

Robyn Smith Department of Physiotherapy

University of Free State2011

Aims of Chest Physiotherapy

Other aims of chest physiotherapy apart from mobilising and clearing secretions are:◦improve ventilation and ◦decrease the work of breathing (WOB)

Ventilation

Challenges in children

Maintaining adequate lung volumes and ensuring adequate ventilation remains a challenge in children whose immature airways have a tendency to closure/collapse

Physiotherapy aims to:◦Re-expand atelectatic segments◦ prevent secondary lung complications due to

atelectasis

Physiotherapy techniques to improve ventilation and lung volume

PositioningPlay and exerciseBreathing exercisesACBTIncentive spirometryPostural drainage and manual techniques

In this section only positioning and breathing exercises will be discussed. Please refer to the presentation regarding mobilisation of secretions for information regarding the other techniques

Differentiating between shortness of breath and

dyspnoea

Shortness of breath Dyspnoea

Associated rapid RR or tachypnoea largely

Common in children with acute respiratory disease

Sense of breathlessness cannot get enough breath

Shortness of breath and dyspnoea

Teach relaxation positions and breathing control in older children

Position in relaxation position Relax shoulder girdle Encourage diaphragmatic breathing

Positioning

Positioning

Positioning is one of the most important ways one can optimise respiratory functioning

Small children breathe more comfortably in a slightly head up position

Position in semi-fowlers or head up position:

◦Not slumped as this compresses the diaphragm◦Knees in slight flexion to decrease the load on

the diaphragm

Can even use sitting up on parents lap

Can use cuddly toys to aid positioning

Positioning

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises

It is possible to encourage children to breathe deeply from about 2 years

Can make use of games and activities in younger children e.g. Blowing bubbles, pinwheels or even incentive spirometry (flutter) or bubble PEP

Blowing activities children

Neurophysiological stimulation of respiration

Makes use of tactile and proprioceptive stimulation

A stimulus (intercostal stretch) is given at the end of expiration

This facilitates improved chest expansion and therefore ventilation

Localised breathing exercises

Used to improve thoracic expansion in older children

Physiotherapists hands at the level of the 8th rib

Child is instructed to expand the lower ribs against her hands

Improving the ventilation/ perfusion ration

Physiological characteristics of the immature respiratory system influence the inability of ventilated areas of the lung to match the perfused areas in a child.

In young children ventilation is preferably distributed to the uppermost lung areas and the dependant areas are poorly ventilated.

This happens due to the airway closing pressure in young child being before the FRC is reached and the highly compliant chest wall.

The dependant lung areas have better perfusion.

Improving the ventilation/ perfusion ration

Principles to improve gaseous exchange in a child are the opposite to those in an adult (up until 10 years of age)

e.g. Child with right sided pathology should be placed on the right side to optimise ventilation and reduce mismatching

Children may desaturate and their respiratory function deteriorate significantly when placing child with the affected lung uppermost

References

Hardy, L. 2007. Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy for the acutely ill, non-ventilated child. In Physiotherapy for Children. Poutney, T (Ed). Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier pp 285-290

Anderson, JM & Innocenti, DM. 1992. Techniques used in physiotherapy. In Cash’s Textbook of chest, vascular disorders for Physiotherapists. Downie PA (ed). 4th ed. Pp 325-354

Ammani Prasad, S & Main, E. 2008. Respiratory disease in childhood. In Physiotherapy for respiratory and cardiac problems .Adults and children. Pryor, JA & Ammani Prasad, S (eds).4 ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier pp 337-343

References

Pryor, JA & Ammani Prasad, S. 2008. Physiotherapy techniques. In Physiotherapy for respiratory and cardiac problems .Adults and children. Pryor, JA & Ammani Prasad, S (eds).4 ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier pp136-176

Hough , A. 2001. 2001. Physiotherapy to clear secretions. In Physiotherapy in Respiratory care. An evidence based approach to respiratory and cardiac management. 3rd edition. Nelson Thornes. London pp184- 210