The frequency of nasal injury in newborns due to the use of continuous positive airway pressure with prongs

• Published in: Revista latino-americana de enfermagem Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 489 - 494
• Main Authors: do Nascimento, Renata Medeiros, Ferreira, Anne Laura Costa, Coutinho, Ana Cláudia Ferreira Pinheiro, Santos Veríssimo, Regina Célia Sales
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo 01-07-2009
• Subjects: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure - adverse effects; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure - instrumentation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Nose - injuries; NURSING; Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology; nose; cavidade nasal; wounds and injuries; ferimentos e lesões; nasal cavity; infant, newborn; nariz; continuous positive airway pressure; recién nacido; pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas; presión de las vías aéreas positiva contínua; cavidad nasal; heridas y traumatismos; recém-nascido
• ISSN: 0104-1169; 1518-8345; 0104-1169
• DOI: 10.1590/S0104-11692009000400009

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with prongs is the ventilatory support most used in newborns. Nasal injuries are complications that may arise due to the prolonged use of this device. This study aimed to determine the frequency of nasal injuries in newborns through the use of continuous positive airway pressure with prongs. A convenience sample composed of hospitalized newborns using prongs for more than two days was used. Data were collected through a structured form. Lesions were observed in all newborns, which were classified as: mild (79.6%), moderate (19.7%) and severe (0.7%). The conclusion is that the use of prongs for more than two days represents a risk factor for the lesions to develop.