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Researchers assessed the optimal delivery system for heliox to alleviate respiratory distress in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis. In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial at 4 centers in the United Kingdom and Australia, 281 infants (median age, 11 weeks) received either heliox (21% oxygen + 79% helium) or airox (21% oxygen + 79% nitrogen), with additional oxygen as needed. Gas was delivered via tight-fitting nonrebreathing facemask or via nasal cannula to the 87 infants who could not tolerate the facemask. Patients receiving bronchodilator, epinephrine, or steroid therapy were excluded.
Median length of stay did not differ between the heliox and airox groups overall (1.9 days in both groups) or among infants treated via nasal c…