Why is this procedure done?
Continuous positive airway pressure is often called CPAP. It is a treatment used to help your baby breathe better. It keeps your babys airways open by using air pressure. It is used to help your baby when: ‚
- Breathing stops or gets shallow while sleeping. This is apnea of prematurity.
- Lungs are not working well due to lack of surfactants. This is respiratory distress syndrome.
- There is a serious lung problem like bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Lungs are filled with fluids, and your baby is breathing faster than normal after birth. This is transient tachypnea of newborn.
- Fluid builds up in the lungs. This is pulmonary edema.
CPAP is given by a machine that helps breathing and gives constant air pressure to keep your baby's lungs open. The machine most often has: ‚
- A large tube with tiny prongs that fit your baby's nose
- A tube that is attached to the machine
- A pump or motor that gives off the air pressure through the tube and prongs
What will the results be?
- Your baby will breathe easier
- It will treat sleep apnea
- It may help your babys heart function
- It may lessen the need for other treatment and therapies
What happens before the procedure?
- Your babys doctor will tell you what you need to do.
What happens during the procedure?
- Your babys doctor will put tiny prongs into your baby's nose. Sometimes, a mask is used over your baby's nose or mouth.
- A tube is hooked to the prongs which are connected to a machine.
- The machine will force air through the prongs into your baby's nose to help the lungs stay open. This will let your baby breathe easier.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your baby may need to stay in the hospital based on the health problem.
- You may need a CPAP machine at home. The CPAP machines are costly. You can rent a machine before you buy it.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Your baby may go home with a breathing CPAP machine. The doctor will talk to you about how to use the machine and what to do if your baby stops breathing.
- Keep your home smoke free. Keep your baby away from secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Anyone in your home who smokes should quit smoking.
- Do not shake your baby to awaken or help with breathing. Pick your baby up in your arms. Pat and rub your babys back gently with your hands to help your baby breathe easier.
- Do not let visitors who are sick see your baby. Stay away from crowded and public places.
- Make sure your baby sleeps on the back. Keep your baby's head and neck placed comfortably. Ask your baby's doctor for the right position that will be comfortable and help your baby breath easily.
- Ask your baby's doctor how to hold, feed, and care for your baby the right way.
- Learn CPR. If your baby stops breathing and it does not return to normal, do CPR.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your babys progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
What problems could happen?
- Your baby may become fussy.
- The prongs may come out of your babys nose.
Helpful tips
- You may also need to have CPR training before your baby goes home. Your doctor will tell you if your baby needs watching.
- Ask your babys doctor how to care for and clean the machine, prongs, and face mask.
Where can I learn more?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cpap/whoneeds.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚