High Flow Nasal Cannula for Pediatric Airway Procedures

Overseen By Candace Hernandez

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Tracheostomy, Cyanotic heart disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 1 hour

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a breathing device called a High Flow Nasal Cannula to assist children during airway procedures such as laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Researchers aim to determine whether a high or low flow rate better maintains stable oxygen levels and manages carbon dioxide levels. Children undergoing these procedures at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital who weigh at least 5 kilograms may qualify for the trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could enhance care for children undergoing airway procedures.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for pediatric airway procedures?

Research has shown that high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is generally a safe and effective method to help children breathe more easily. One study found that HFNC improved symptoms in about 64% of patients, although some required more intensive treatment. Another study demonstrated that HFNC can assist by increasing airflow and easing breathing.

However, some research suggests that HFNC might be less effective for younger children with severe breathing issues. While HFNC can be very beneficial, its effectiveness may vary for each child. Consulting medical professionals is crucial to determine if it's the right option for a child. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using high flow nasal cannulas for pediatric airway procedures because these devices can deliver a higher concentration of oxygen more efficiently than traditional low flow methods. This increased airflow helps to keep children's airways open and maintain better oxygen levels during procedures, which can be crucial for their safety and comfort. Additionally, high flow nasal cannulas are less invasive than other oxygen delivery systems, making them a gentler option for young patients.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for pediatric airway procedures?

Research has shown that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy, which participants in this trial may receive, is a safe and effective method for assisting children with breathing problems. Studies have found that it reduces breathing difficulties and performs as well as other treatments like CPAP, a machine that keeps airways open. HFNC can also prevent low oxygen levels during medical procedures and is particularly cost-effective for certain groups, such as boys. However, for children under two with severe breathing issues, there may be a higher chance that the treatment will not be effective. Overall, HFNC is a promising option for managing breathing during airway procedures in children. Another group in this trial will receive low-flow oxygenation, which is also being evaluated for its effectiveness in pediatric airway procedures. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Zhen Huang, MD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children with asthma who are undergoing airway procedures. The study aims to find the best flow rate of oxygen to prevent significant drops in oxygen levels and manage CO2 during the procedure.

Inclusion Criteria

I am scheduled for throat and lung exams at CMHH.

I weigh at least 5 kilograms and use a specific flow rate for my treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

I have undergone procedures using lasers or cautery.

I have a heart condition that hasn't been fixed and causes low oxygen levels.

Emergency type cases

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo airway procedures with either high or low flow nasal cannula oxygenation to assess effectiveness in increasing apneic time and preventing desaturation

1 hour

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the procedure

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• High Flow Nasal Cannula
• Low Flow Oxygenation

Trial Overview The trial is testing two different rates of nasal cannula oxygen flow: high and low. It will measure how well each helps maintain oxygen saturation above a certain level and control CO2 during pediatric airway procedures.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Low Flow Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: High flow Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7027347/

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in children High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a relatively safe and effective noninvasive ventilation method that was recently accepted as a treatment option for acute ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945725003120

Efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula therapy and its ... HFNC is an alternative treatment option with comparable efficacy to CPAP in alleviating disease severity in paediatric patients with MS-OSA.

3. valueinhealthjournal.com valueinhealthjournal.com/article/S1098-3015(24)02853-5/fulltext

Exploring Heterogeneity in the Cost-Effectiveness of High ... Our study uses machine learning methods to show that high-flow nasal cannula therapy is cost-effective in specific subgroups, including male children, those ...

4. bmcanesthesiol.biomedcentral.com bmcanesthesiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12871-025-03214-8

Effect of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy on perioperative ... Studies including perioperative use of HFNC had at least one of the following five outcomes: (1) incidence of desaturation, (2) minimum O2 ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.759297/full

Outcomes of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Vs. ... Conclusions: Among children with respiratory distress younger than 2 years, HFNC appears to be associated with higher risk of treatment failure ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X25000242

Characteristics and outcomes of children initiated on high ... Short term outcomes were good overall, demonstrating safe interfacility transfer and low mortality. Further research is needed to inform practice on best use of ...

7. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2025/02140/epidemiologic_evaluation_of_pediatric_patients.57.aspx

Epidemiologic evaluation of pediatric patients receiving... HFNC therapy ended with symptom regression in 63.9% of patients, transition to NIV in 25.8%, and intubation in 4.3%. Although patients did not ...

8. shmpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com shmpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jhm.13571?af=R

Indications and outcomes of pediatric high flow nasal cannula ... HFNC can increase alveolar ventilation, reduce respiratory rate, and decrease the work of breathing by providing continuous flow, potentially ...