Neonatal nasal high flow therapy

Nasal high flow (NHF) is a mode of noninvasive respiratory support that delivers high flows of blended air and oxygen through a nasal interface.¹

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Optiflow™ Junior 2

A non-sealing nasal interface specifically designed for the flow requirements and anatomical features of neonates on NHF therapy.

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How does NHF therapy work?

NHF is a flow-based therapy designed to be an open system that typically consists of a flow source to blend air and oxygen, a humidifier to heat and humidify the gas mixture, and a circuit and interface to deliver humidified gas to the patient. Suitable sizing of the nasal cannula is important to ensure the open system is maintained.

NHF is associated with a range of mechanisms of action and physiological benefits:

• Ensures washout of anatomical dead space.^2-4
• Provides dynamic positive airway pressure.^2-5
• Delivers heated and humidified gas.^6-9
• Provides supplemental oxygen.^10-12
• Improves patient comfort.^13-16

Comparison of NHF vs Unassisted Breathing

Ensures washout of anatomical dead space

The washout of anatomical dead space improves pulmonary gas exchange through the clearance of CO₂ in the upper airways. This ultimately reduces the work of breathing.²

Unsupported breathing
There is a high concentration of CO₂ in the nasopharynx following exhalation, which is re-breathed on inspiration. This increases the work of breathing to compensate for poorer lung oxygenation.³

Using NHF
The continuous flow of fresh gas washes out CO₂-rich gas from the nasopharynx. This decreases the amount of CO₂ re-breathed on inspiration.

As a result, pulmonary gas exchange and oxygenation are improved and the work of breathing is reduced.^2,4

This featured animation is based on a conceptual model of breathing that describes flushing of the upper airway, with and without NFH.^2-4

Provides dynamic positive airway pressure

With NHF, flow is prescribed and set. A level of dynamic positive airway pressure is generated because of the flow, which is dependent on a range of factors such as the weight of the infant, the set flow rate and nare occlusion.^2,4

It is important the nasal cannula does not create a seal in the nares so NHF is maintained as an open system.

The dynamic positive airway pressure associated with NHF has been shown to reduce inspiratory effort and the work of breathing compared with standard oxygen therapy.^2,4,5

Delivers heated and humidified gas

NHF delivers a heated and humidified blend of air and oxygen, maintaining the nasal mucosa and enhancing mucociliary function.⁶ It reduces mucosal dryness and improves secretion clearance compared with standard oxygen therapy.⁷ Consensus guidelines state that NHF should always be adequately heated and humidified.^8,9

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Provides supplemental oxygen

NHF differs from standard oxygen therapy in that it can accurately deliver a prescribed FiO₂ when the set flow rate meets or exceeds a patient’s peak inspiratory demand.^10,11

FiO₂ is the proportion of oxygen in the air that is inspired.¹¹ In addition to the ability to deliver accurate FiO₂, the combined mechanisms of NHF have the effect of improving oxygenation status.^10-12

Compared with standard oxygen therapy, NHF can accurately deliver a prescribed FiO₂ when set flow meets or exceeds the patient's peak inspiratory demand.

Improves patient comfort

Because NHF is an open system, it is gentle on the patient’s nose.

Compared with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), NHF improves patient comfort, compliance and tolerance to therapy.^13,14 NHF is also associated with a significant reduction in the rate of nasal trauma.^15,16

Clinical NHF studies have used objective measures, such as heart rate, facial expressions, and movement, to assess patient comfort.¹⁴

There is a body of evidence supporting the use of both CPAP and NHF in the NICU.

Learn more about noninvasive
therapies in the NICU

Setting flow rates for neonates

The body of evidence suggests that using adequate starting flow rates is critical to achieving physiological and clinical outcomes. Data from systematic reviews, randomized control trials (RCTs) and leading expert guidance suggests NHF should be initiated at 4 – 6 L/min.^8,9,16,17

NHF: Neonates – Clinical Paper Summaries

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The Rosie Maternity Hospital Documentary Series

The reason, the roll-out and the results: The Rosie, a Cambridge University Hospital in the UK, shares its successful implementation of noninvasive therapies for neonatal patients.

The implementation of a new therapy at the Rosie

Implementation of NHF at the Rosie

Explore the research behind the decision to implement NHF at the hospital.

NHF in practice at the Rosie

Learn how the hospital uses NHF therapy in the neonatal unit.

The impact of a new therapy at the Rosie

The impact of NHF therapy at the Rosie

Discover the hospital’s journey of successfully implementing NHF therapy.

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The F&P Education Hub – your go-to resource for humidified therapies

Explore and learn

de Klerk, A. Humidified high-flow nasal cannula: is it the new and improved CPAP? Adv. Neonatal Care 8, 98–106 (2008). View abstract
Dysart, K., Miller, T. L., Wolfson, M. R., & Shaffer, T. H. Research in high-flow therapy: mechanisms of action. Respir. Med. 103, 1400–5 (2009). View abstract
Maram KP, Chakraborty M. High-flow ventilation in newborn infants – what is the evidence? Paediatrics and Child Health. 2017 Jan; 27(1):1–8.
Liew Z et al. Physiological effects of high-flow nasal cannula therapy in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child – Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2020; 105, 87–93. View abstract
Mazmanyan P, Darakchyan M, Pinkham MI, Tatkov S. Mechanisms of nasal high-flow therapy in newborns. J Appl Physiol. 2002 Apr 1;128(4): 822–829. View abstract
ten Brink F, Duke T and Evans J. High-flow nasal prong oxygen therapy or nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure for children with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress? Pediatr Crit Care Med. 14, 2013, e326–331. View abstract
Woodhead DD, Lambert DK, Clark JM and Christensen RD. Comparing two methods of delivering high-flow gas therapy by nasal cannula following endotracheal extubation: a prospective, randomized, masked, crossover trial. J Perinatol. 26, 2006, 481–485. View abstract
Yoder BA, Manley B, Collins C, Ives K, Kugelman A, Lavizzari A et al. Consensus approach to nasal high-flow therapy in neonates. Journal of Perinatology. 2017 Jul 23; 37(7):809–813. View abstract
Roehr CC, Yoder BA, Davis PG, Ives K. Evidence Support and Guidelines for Using Heated, Humidified, High-Flow Nasal Cannulae in Neonatology. Clinics in Perinatology. 2016 Dec; 43(4):693–705. View abstract
Hough J, Pham T, and Schibler A. Physiologic effect of high-flow nasal cannula in infants with bronchiolitis. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 15, 2014, e214–219. View abstract
Sinha I, McBride A, Smith R, and Fernandes R. CPAP and High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen in Bronchiolitis. Chest 148, 2015, 810–823. View abstract
Lee M. and Nagler J. High-flow nasal cannula therapy beyond the perinatal period. Curr Opin Pediatr. 29, 2017, 291–296. View abstract
Collins CL, Barfield C, Horne RSC and Davis PG. A comparison of nasal trauma in preterm infants extubated to either heated humidified high-flow nasal cannulae or nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Eur J Pediatr. 173, 2014, 181–186. View abstract
Roberts C. et al. Nasal high-flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants. N Engl J Med. 375, 2016, 1142–1151. View abstract
Yoder B. et al. Heated, humidified high-flow nasal cannula versus nasal CPAP for respiratory support in neonates. Pediatrics 131, 2013, e1482–1490. View abstract
Wilkinson D, Andersen C, O’Donnell CPF, De Paoli AG and Manley BJ. High-flow nasal cannula for respiratory support in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2, CD006405, 2016. View abstract
Bruet S, Butin M, Dutheil F. Systematic review of high-flow nasal cannula versus continuous positive airway pressure for primary support in preterm infants. Archives of Disease in Childhood – Fetal and Neonatal Edition. 2022 Jan; 107(1):56–59. View abstract

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