Effectiveness of Nasal Suction in Infants With Bronchiolitis Using a NoseFrida vs. Bulb Syringe

Bronchiolitis is common infection in the small airways of the lungs in the pediatric population. It typically affects children under the age of two years during the fall and winter months.Infants with this condition often have a significant amount of nasal drainage and congestion. Infants are known to be obligate nasal breathers. When the nasal secretions block the nasal airway, then breathing, sleeping, and eating/drinking all become very difficult. For this reason it is very important to have a good method of suctioning out the nose and clearing out the secretions. Historically a baby's nose was suctioned with a bulb syringe. These are still commonly used and are given out in the hospital setting, although there are many other types of devices that have been developed recently that are used for suctioning. One of these devices that has become very common among parents now is called the NoseFrida. It is important to evaluate this device and its efficacy compared to the bulb syringe.

This research study will evaluate the difference in effectiveness of nasal suction between two different suction devices (NoseFrida and bulb syringe) in infants that have bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis (a virus infection that goes into the lungs, which subsequently causes difficulty breathing, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty eating and drinking in children) is a common infection in young children. Patients will be considered for enrollment in the study based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The patient's caregiver will be supplied with an information sheet, and any questions will be addressed. Those who verbally consent will be enrolled in the study. After parents or guardians (caregivers) provide informed consent for their child, researchers will review the child's medical record for information regarding their history of respiratory distress. The caregiver will then be supplied with a suction device to be used once they are discharged home. The participants will be asked to use a NoseFrida device or a bulb syringe. The device supplied which is instructed to be used will be dependent on the week of enrollment in the study. Education will be given on how to use their respective the suction device devices. Along with the device, a form (Home monitoring form) will be supplied that will outline what should be monitored while using the device, including: number of days after discharge until respiratory symptoms resolve, number of days until the infant is eating/drinking well, and the number of days until the infant is sleeping well. A REDCAP survey will be emailed to participants after 5 days post discharge and again 7 days post discharge if not completed.

The protocol was revised to supply both nasal suction devices to the participants. However, no data was collected under this revised protocol before termination.