Airway clearance strategies for the pediatric patient.

Clinicians who care for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have many techniques to choose from to facilitate mucus clearance. Little has been published about when to introduce the various techniques and in what order to teach them. Debates have occurred over these issues in the CF community, and there is now consensus on some topics. It is very important to teach adherence to therapy at an early age. Adherence to an airway clearing regimen assists in maintaining good pulmonary function in CF patients. Knowing when and how to introduce airway clearance techniques beyond chest physiotherapy (CPT) is clinically relevant and useful. A 5-position modified CPT routine can be used with infants and children, and it takes less time and may improve adherence. Infants and toddlers can be taught breathing games that eventually lead them to perform diaphragmatic breathing and huffing. Once they have mastered diaphragmatic breathing and huffing, children can be taught the active cycle of breathing technique. Modified CPT can be phased out at that point. Positive expiratory pressure therapy can usually be introduced around 6-7 years of age. High-frequency chest wall oscillation, oscillating positive expiratory pressure, and autogenic drainage all follow. CF patients should be given every opportunity to learn and master various techniques to promote mucus clearance.