Bubble CPAP in a Low-Resource Setting

Abstract

Abstract
Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) is a way of providing respiratory support to neonates and children. Since its invention in the 1970s, bCPAP has been shown to perform equally well, if not better, compared to conventional CPAP for neonates with acute neonatal respiratory distress. Additionally, it has been shown to decrease the need for mechanical ventilation when compared to low-flow nasal cannula. An especially unique aspect of bCPAP over other forms of non-invasive respiratory therapy is its ability to be redesigned and adapted for low-resource settings, enabling hospitals serving children living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to deliver higher quality respiratory support. This chapter describes bCPAP and the evidence behind its use, indications, contraindications, and complications. A description is provided on how to fashion a low-cost modified bCPAP circuit.