Treating respiratory failure in children

Children may need to be treated for breathing disorders (or sleep-disordered breathing), respiratory distress or respiratory failure due to a number of reasons. Some of these are:

1. The upper airway might be crowded or blocked (due to large tonsils and adenoids, a large tongue, small jaw, high arched palate, repaired cleft palate or floppy airways).
2. Lung disease (e.g. cystic fibrosis) or scoliosis (where curvature of the spine can affect lung function).
3. Conditions that affect the communication between the brain and the respiratory system (e.g. spinal cord injuries).
4. Conditions associated with muscle weakness (e.g. Muscular Dystrophies).
5. Congenital conditions and syndromes (e.g. Trisomy 21, Achondroplasia, Pierre Robin Syndrome, Prader Willi Syndrome).

ResMed understands that diagnosing and treating children with sleep breathing disorders, respiratory distress or respiratory failure is not the same as treating adults with those conditions. Our respiratory support therapy solutions for children address the unique needs of children.

We understand that children need:

• respiratory support devices that cater to their smaller lungs
• respiratory support devices that have advanced technology to detect even the slightest effort to breathe
• masks that are designed specifically for their face shape
• a strong support network of family and caregivers to help children overcome barriers associated with treatment.