Global Pediatric Health (Jun 2024)

Use of High-Flow Nasal Cannulas in Saudi’s Neonatal Level III Intensive Care Units: A Nationwide Questionnaire Study

  • Saleh S. Algarni PhD,
  • Khalid Alshammari BS,
  • Meshal Alkhalifah BS,
  • Waleed Almutairi BS,
  • Abdulrahman Aljaidi BS,
  • Arwa Alruwaili MS,
  • Abdulkarim S Alqarni MD,
  • Tareq F Alotaibi PhD,
  • Mohammed M Alqahtani PhD,
  • Hassan Aljohani PhD,
  • Taha T Ismaeil PhD,
  • Abdullah M M Alanazi PhD,
  • Abdulrhman S Alghamdi PhD,
  • Khaled Alanazi BS,
  • Khalid S Alwadeai PhD,
  • Rayan Siraj PhD,
  • Turki M Alanazi PhD,
  • Ali Almudeer MD,
  • Kamal Ali MD,
  • Saif Alsaif MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X241258142
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Objective . To describe heated humidified high-flow nasal cannulas (HHHFNC) utilization in level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Saudi Arabia. Methods . A prospective cross-sectional study using an electronic web-based questionnaire. The survey targeted level III NICUs hospitals using HHHFNCs, covering HHHFNC availability, protocols, patient characteristics, and indications. It also collected opinions on the benefits of HHHFNCs compared to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). Results . Out of 47 government-level III neonatal intensive care units, 35 (74%) responded to the survey. Among the included units, 46% had guidelines for HHHFNC use. Additionally, 51% reported using HHHFNC in infants of all gestational ages. The primary indication for HHHFNC use was weaning off nCPAP (34%), with 60% of the respondents noting its advantages for kangaroo care and breastfeeding. Conclusion . HHHFNC are increasingly prevalent in NICUs in Saudi Arabia. However, there remain no clear policies or guidelines regarding their use in preterm infants.