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Oxygen therapy for children and babies

It is important to use oxygen at the flow rate that has been prescribed. Never increase or decrease the flow rate without first consulting your child’s doctor.

Oxygen therapy for children and babies

If you care for a child or baby who needs oxygen therapy as part of their respiratory care, there are a number of important things you should know.

Concentrators

Low flow concentrators are available for children and babies. These deliver oxygen at much lower flow rates to a standard concentrator (flow rate settings for Millennium Paediatric concentrator: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 lpm).

Your child’s concentrator will be locked at the prescribed flow rate by your Air Products technician. Any further adjustments should only be undertaken on the recommendation of your doctor. However, if your child has been prescribed a variable flow rate, you will need to adjust the flow rate and relock the machine.

For more information, download our > leaflet [PDF 93 KB]

Note
The flow of oxygen is very low. If you are concerned the concentrator is not delivering any oxygen, place the end of the supply hose onto some water and check for bubbles.

Piped oxygen systems

When your Air Products technician first installs your child’s equipment, you will be offered a piped oxygen system. This will allow your child to use oxygen in more than one room without the need to move the oxygen concentrator.

For more information download our > leaflet [PDF 92 KB]

Oxygen cylinders

Portable oxygen cylinders are filled with oxygen to help you and your child go out and do everyday things. To set the flow rate of oxygen for your child from the oxygen cylinder, it may have been fitted with a flowmeter.

Portable oxygen cylinders

Cylinder duration

How long your child’s oxygen cylinder lasts is based on the type of oxygen cylinder you are using and the flow rate setting.

Freedom 600 cylinderFreedom 600 cylinder and micro flowmeter this is a high capacity oxygen cylinder with a micro flow device suitable for very young children and babies

The duration of this cylinder varies from 4 days (at 0.1 litres per minute) to 42 days (at 0.01 litres per minute)

Technical Data
Weight full 3.5 kg
Height 50.8 cm
Diameter 10.1 cm
Capacity 617 litres
Accessories Bag and trolley available
> Information [PDF, 139 KB]

 

Freedom 600 and low flowmeter Freedom 600 and low flowmeter this is a high capacity cylinder with a low-flow device suitable for young children

The duration of this oxygen cylinder varies from 10 hours (at 1.0 litres per minute) to 4 days (at 0.1 litres per minute)

Technical Data
Weight full 3.5 kg
Height 50.8 cm
Diameter 10.1 cm
Capacity 617 litres
Accessories Bag and trolley available
> Information[PDF, 139 KB]

 

Freedom 600 without a flowmeterFreedom 600 without a flowmeter withouta flowmeter attached, your child’s oxygen cylinder will last a shorter time, but will deliver a higher flow rate.

The duration of this cylinder varies from 41 minutes (at 15 litres per minute) to 20 hours (at 0.5 litres per minute)

Technical Data
Weight full 3.2 kg
Height 50.8 cm
Diameter 10.1 cm
Capacity 617 litres
Accessories Bag and trolley available
> Information [PDF, 139 KB]

 

B10 Paediatric B10 Paediatric - this is the largest paediatric cylinder available fitted with a flowmeter to make it suitable as a long lasting backup supply for paediatric patients. Note: the cylinder is white to distinguish it from the standard black B10.

The duration of this oxygen cylinder varies depending on the type of flowmeter being used and the litres per minute (flow rate).

Fixed with a low flowmeter this oxygen cylinder will last from 1 day, 14 hours (at 0.9 litres per minute) to 14 days, 16 hours (at 0.1 litres per minute)

Fixed with a micro flowmeter, this oxygen cylinder will last from 16 days (at 0.09 litres per minute) to 147 days (at 0.01 litres per minute)

Technical Data
Weight full 15 kg (33 lb)
Height 71cm (28”)
Diameter 18.2 cm (17.1”)
Capacity 2122 litres

Caution:
It is very important to use the oxygen cylinder at the flow rate that has been prescribed. Never increase or decrease the flow rate without first consulting your child’s doctor or respiratory specialist.

Cleaning your child’s mask and cannula

Your child’s oxygen mask and cannula are important pieces of oxygen equipment.

A cannula can become easily blocked by nasal excretions and mucus. Both masks and cannulae should therefore be kept as clean as possible.

Cleaning your child’s mask and cannula

You should also check oxygen tubing daily for any obvious signs of damage such as kinking, flattening or splitting. If you notice any damage, replace the tubing immediately.

It is important to keep spare masks and cannulae to hand at all times. If you are running short, please call our Homecare Service Helpline on 0800 373 580 between 8.00am and 5.30pm and we will send you more by post.

Take care that tubing does not become trapped, e.g. in furniture, doors, babies’ cots, infants’ high chairs etc as this will restrict, or even stop, the flow of oxygen.

Oxygen safety

  • Materials burn much more vigorously in oxygen than air. Never smoke, or let someone else smoke, while your child or baby is using oxygen equipment.
  • All oxygen equipment should be kept away from naked flames such as gas cookers, open fires and birthday candles.
  • Make sure tubing does not become trapped as this will restrict the oxygen flow. Particular care should be taken with doors, cot frames and high chairs for infants.
  • Do NOT use grease, fat, oils or Vaseline anywhere near your flowmeter, cylinder or concentrator. To relieve skin irritation you should use water-based gels.
  • For safety and where possible, keep oxygen equipment out of children’s reach to prevent them tampering with flow rate settings or on/off switches.
  • Using a humidifier is not recommended when the flow rate is set below one litre per minute.
  • It is possible to travel with oxygen cylinders and concentrators if you follow our
    > safety advice.
  • If carrying oxygen cylinders on a pushchair always place as low as possible to prevent the pushchair from toppling over.

 

Caution!
Never increase or decrease the flow rate on your oxygen cylinder without first consulting your doctor or respiratory specialist.
Download
Download a cylinder duration table for children and babies. [PDF, 420 KB]

> Cylinder duration children

Freedom 600 bag
[PDF, 139 KB]

> Product information