Table 2.

Summary of selected research evaluating the use of noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannulae therapy during paediatric transport32–38

Author and year of study	Study design	Mode of respiratory support	Sample	Outcome
Schlapbach et al.32 (2014)	Retrospective study	Invasive ventilation, NIV or HFNCT	793 infants aged ≤2 years	The frequency of both invasive ventilation (49% versus 35%) and NIV (7% versus 2%) decreased following the introduction of HFNCT. Overall, 33% of infants underwent HFNCT during transport. No adverse effects were noted among those who underwent HFNCT during transport.
Abraham et al.33 (2019)	Retrospective study	HFNCT	114 infants, of which 50% had bronchiolitis	No adverse events were observed during transport. The method of respiratory support was changed to NIV (CPAP) before transport in 3% of patients. Post-transport, 23% of patients required escalation of respiratory support.
Fleming et al.34 (2012)	Retrospective study	NIV (CPAP)	54 infants with suspected bronchiolitis	No adverse events were noted during transport. However, 10% required intubation within 24 hours of transport.
Resnick and Sokol35 (2010)	Retrospective study	NIV (CPAP)	369 neonates aged ≥32 gestational weeks with acute respiratory distress	During the two-year study period, CPAP use increased from 33% to 59%. Overall, 13% of the neonates required intubation within 24 hours of transport, likely due to higher initial oxygen requirements. There was no significant morbidity or mortality.
Baird et al.36 (2009)	Retrospective study	NIV (CPAP and BPAP)	25 children and teenagers aged ≤18 years	Overall, 64% and 36% of patients were transported on CPAP and BPAP, respectively. No adverse events were observed during transport. However, 35% of patients required intubation within 84 hours of transport.
Millán et al.37 (2017)	Prospective observational study	Invasive ventilation, NIV (CPAP) or OCN	288 children aged ≤17 months with acute respiratory failure, of which 58% had bronchiolitis	Overall, 19%, 37% and 44% of patients were transported on invasive ventilation, CPAP and OCN, respectively. Minor adverse events (i.e. intolerance to the interface) were observed in 3% of patients. One patient required intubation during transport.
Cheema et al.38 (2018)	Systematic review	NIV (CPAP) and HFNCT	858 neonates and children	The rate of minor adverse events was 1–4%. Only 0.4% of patients required intubation or escalation of support during transfer. Overall, 10% needed intubation within 24 hours of transfer. The odds of intubation within 24 hours were higher for patients on CPAP compared to those on HFNCT.

NIV = noninvasive ventilation; HFNCT = high-flow nasal cannulae therapy; CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure; BPAP = bilevel positive airway pressure; OCN = oxygen cannula/nebulisation.