Oxygen is a gas that is necessary for all cells in the body to generate energy and function properly. The air we breathe normally has 21% oxygen. A maximum of 100% oxygen can be given.

WHY IS OXYGEN USED?

If your baby has a problem with the lungs or heart, he or she may need increased amounts of oxygen.

HOW IS OXYGEN DELIVERED?

There are several different ways to administer oxygen to your baby, depending on how much oxygen is needed and whether your baby requires a machine to help him breathe.

One way is by an oxygen hood (sometimes called a halo). This is used for babies who can breathe on their own but still need extra oxygen. A hood is a plastic dome or box with warmed and humidified oxygen inside. The baby's head is placed into the hood.

A second way to give oxygen is by a nasal cannula (NC). The NC is made of soft, thin, plastic tubing with soft prongs that fit into your baby�s nose through which oxygen flows. Again, your baby must be able to breathe on his or her own.

Third, oxygen can be given to your baby through a nasal CPAP system (CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). These systems usually use soft nasal prongs which are connected by tubing to a machine that allows your baby�s lungs to receive increased oxygen, but also higher pressures to try to better inflate the lungs.

Finally, increased oxygen can be given by a breathing machine or ventilator.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF OXYGEN?

As with nearly everything in life, too much or too little oxygen can be harmful. If the cells in the body receive too little oxygen, energy production is decreased. With too little energy, cells may not work properly and may die. Your baby may not grow properly and there is risk for injury to many of the developing organs including the brain and heart.

However, too much oxygen can also cause injury. Breathing excessive oxygen can cause injury to the lung. Under certain conditions, too much oxygen in the blood may also contribute to problems in the brain and eye. Your baby�s doctors and nurses try to balance how much oxygen is needed to minimize the risks of too little or too much oxygen. If you have other questions regarding the risks and benefits of oxygen in your baby you should discuss these with your doctor.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF OXYGEN DELIVERY SYSTEMS?

Infants receiving oxygen by hood may get chilled if the temperature of the humidified oxygen is not warm enough. Sometimes a hood or NC device simply cannot deliver enough oxygen to your baby.

Most (but not all) nasal cannulas use cool, dry oxygen. At higher flow rates this can lead to irritation of the inner nose producing cracked skin, bleeding, and/or mucous plugs in the nose. This may also increase the risk of infection.

Similar problems can occur with nasal CPAP devices. Also, some CPAP devices use wide nasal prongs that can produce very wide nostrils and distorted noses.

Mechanical ventilators have a number of risks. To further clarify the risks for your baby, you should talk with your doctor.