Children with Down syndrome (DS) make up a substantial portion of long-term non-invasive ventilation (LT-NIV) users though it is unclear if their unique features alter LT-NIV efficacy or use. The aim of this study is to compare the use and outcomes of LT-NIV for children with DS and a matched comparison (MCG).
This is a sub-study of a 10-year retrospective review of children initiated on LT-NIV in Alberta, Canada (
Upper airway disease was the most common indication for LT-NIV in both groups, though was higher in children with DS (DS: 90% vs. MCG: 50%, OR 8.64 [95% CI 4.38–17.04]). Sleep and respiratory parameters, at the baseline diagnostic sleep study and the change from baseline to treatment study, did not differ between groups. Nasal masks were the predominant mask type in both children with DS (55%) and the MCG (66%) with more children with DS, compared to the MCG, using full face masks (DS: 45 vs. MCG: 33%,
LT-NIV is a common and efficacious treatment in children with DS used predominantly for upper airway obstruction. While adherence is lower, the majority of children with DS are successful at using LT-NIV.