OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the use of an N95 mask by children was associated with episodes of desaturation or respiratory distress. STUDY DESIGN:22 healthy children were randomly assigned to two groups, both groups wearing an N95 mask: one without an exhalation valve, another with an exhalation valve. We tracked changes in partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2), oxygen saturation, pulse rate and respiratory rate over 72-minutes of mask-use. All subjects were monitored every 15 minutes, the first 30 minutes while not wearing a mask, and the next 30 minutes while wearing a mask. Children then performed a 12-minute walking test. RESULTS:Children did not experience a statistically significant change in oxygen saturation or pulse rate during the study. There was a significant increase in respiratory rate and PETCO2 in those children wearing a mask without an exhalation valve, whereas this was only seen in those children wearing a mask with an exhalation valve after the walking test. CONCLUSION: The use of an N95 mask could potentially cause breathing difficulties in children if the mask does not have an exhalation valve, particularly during a physical activity. We believe that it may be more appropriate for children to use a surgical mask.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the use of an N95 mask by children was associated with episodes of desaturation or respiratory distress. STUDY DESIGN: 22 healthy children were randomly assigned to two groups, both groups wearing an N95 mask: one without an exhalation valve, another with an exhalation valve. We tracked changes in partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2), oxygen saturation, pulse rate and respiratory rate over 72-minutes of mask-use. All subjects were monitored every 15 minutes, the first 30 minutes while not wearing a mask, and the next 30 minutes while wearing a mask. Children then performed a 12-minute walking test. RESULTS:Children did not experience a statistically significant change in oxygen saturation or pulse rate during the study. There was a significant increase in respiratory rate and PETCO2 in those children wearing a mask without an exhalation valve, whereas this was only seen in those children wearing a mask with an exhalation valve after the walking test. CONCLUSION: The use of an N95 mask could potentially cause breathing difficulties in children if the mask does not have an exhalation valve, particularly during a physical activity. We believe that it may be more appropriate for children to use a surgical mask.
Authors: Cecilia Acuti Martellucci; Maria Elena Flacco; Mosè Martellucci; Francesco Saverio Violante; Lamberto Manzoli Journal: Environ Health Insights Date: 2022-09-15
Authors: Anne Schlegtendal; Lynn Eitner; Michael Falkenstein; Anna Hoffmann; Thomas Lücke; Kathrin Sinningen; Folke Brinkmann Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2022-01-11