Intermittent positive pressure-aerosol therapy in pediatrics.

For the past three years the Pediatric Research Department of the Lovelace Foundation has been engaged in investigative and clinical studies of the use of intermittent positive pressure breathing (hereinafter termed IPPB) therapy in the field of pediatrics. Studies in infant resuscitation1 have proved its worth in (1) expanding the non-expanded lungs of newborns who do not breathe at birth, (2) assisting in the correction of partial atelectasis and anoxia, and (3) promoting bronchial drainage, and preventing infection and resorption atelectasis. The demonstration of the effectiveness of IPPB in pulmonary conditions in adults by Motley, et al.2 raised the question of whether this type of therapy might be beneficial to children with respiratory problems, and whether by early treatment we might be able to restore normal pulmonary function in this younger age group. The physiologic basis here for IPPB was to (1) provide uniform alveolar aeration with improvement in blood-gas exchange, (2) overcome spasm and promote bronchial drainage with decrease in irritation and infection, and (3) provide breathing exercise with improvement in muscle tone and compliance.