What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective review of paediatric patients referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in 2020 and documented centre modifications made to accommodate them.
What They Found
Out of seven paediatric patients evaluated for HBOT, six were treated, with a mean age of four years (range: 1-11 years). All treated patients tolerated hyperbaric oxygen therapy in monoplace chambers without significant complications.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study demonstrates that existing hyperbaric oxygen therapy centres can be successfully adapted to safely treat paediatric patients, even during challenging times like a pandemic. This provides a practical framework for Canadian hospitals to consider when expanding HBOT access for younger patients or responding to healthcare disruptions.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted in a specific geographic region outside of Canada, and therefore has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A primary limitation of this study is its small sample size of only six treated paediatric patients.