Comparing Nasal Suction Devices in Children With Bronchiolitis: A Pilot Study

Bronchiolitis is a viral illness and a common cause for admission to the hospital. Most
patients with bronchiolitis are managed at home. The indications of hospitalization are poor
feeding (due to increased mucus production) and respiratory distress with and without
hypoxia. The acute care setting is a common destination of patients with bronchiolitis.
Patients are admitted to the acute care setting for respiratory monitoring, suctioning and
poor oral intake. The management of bronchiolitis is mostly supportive which includes
frequent feedings, nasal suctioning, intravenous fluids and oxygen if necessary. The patients
admitted to the acute care setting receive frequent nasal suctioning by a suction device
(NeoSucker) and deep suctioning as needed. Since young infants are "nose breathers," the use
of nasal suctioning helps to relieve nasal congestion/upper airway obstruction and assists
with their ability to breathe and feed. Suctioning can be accomplished by the use of the bulb
suction, nasal aspirators and/or suction catheters connected to pressure devices.

The role of the type of suctioning device in the management of bronchiolitis has not been
studied extensively. In our study, a nasal aspirator (developed in Sweden by an Ear, Nose and
Throat specialist) by the brand name of NoseFrida will be compared to the NeoSucker, a
suction catheter currently used in our hospital setting which requires both a nurse and a
pressure device. Nasal suctioning is less traumatic and does not cause the discomfort,
bleeding and rebound swelling that deep suctioning can. Upon admission, patients will be
randomized to either the NoseFrida or NeoSucker group. After consent is obtained for agreed
participation, the patients parents randomized to the NoseFrida group will be given a
NoseFrida/filters and instructions on usage (instructional video/postcard). The parents will
be encouraged to use the NoseFrida suction device as often as they want, especially before
feeds and sleep. The patients randomized to the NeoSucker group will be given the current
standard of care and nasal suctioned by a nurse. Both groups will be deep suctioned as
clinically needed.

Inclusion Criteria:

- patients above the age of 2 months and post-gestational age to 44 weeks and less than
or equal to 2 years with signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis

- clinical respiratory score (CRS) of less than or equal to 4

- principle diagnosis of bronchiolitis (International Classification of Diseases-9: 466,
466.11 and 466.19)

Exclusion Criteria:

- age less than 2 months

- age less than post-gestational age 44 weeks

- CRS greater than 4

- associated hypoxia

- already using NoseFrida at home

- chronic lung disease

- oro-facial abnormalities

- cardiac abnormalities