Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for infants: retrospective analysis of 54 patients treated in two tertiary care centres.

Introduction: We aimed to analyse the outcomes of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) and describe difficulties encountered in infants, a rare patient population in this therapeutic intervention, with limited scientific reports.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients 12 months old or younger who underwent HBOT in two different institutions. Demographic data, clinical presentation, HBOT indication, chamber type, oxygen delivery method, total number of treatments, outcome and complications were extracted from clinical records.

Results: There were 54 infants in our study. The patients' median age was 3.5 (range 0-12) months. The major HBOT indication was acute carbon monoxide intoxication (n = 32). A total of 275 HBOT treatments were administered, mostly performed in multiplace chambers (n = 196, 71%). Only one patient (2%) required mechanical ventilation. Acute signs were fully resolved in the most patients (n = 40, 74%). No complications related to HBOT were reported.

Conclusions: This study suggests that HBOT may be a safe and effective treatment for infants. Paediatricians should consider HBOT when indicated in infants even for the preterm age group.