Inhalation and respiratory therapy devices for cystic fibrosis: What can you use at what age?

Inhalation therapy and respiratory physiotherapy are part and parcel of daily life for most children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Which devices are best suited depends on their age and which drugs they need to inhale. An overview for parents is available here.

Inhalation therapy with a nebuliser is an integral part of daily life for most children with cystic fibrosis. They generally inhale a saline solution or hypertonic saline solution, perhaps a bronchodilator and one or more antibiotic. It is important to bear in mind that inhalation solutions and treatment frequency depend on the individual treatment plan; this should always be set by your child’s CF Team.

The following overview is a guide – please seek advice from your child’s CF Team.

From the first month of age and depending on the type of drug being inhaled

• PARI eFlow®rapid can be used with PARI SMARTMASK Baby and/or PARI BABY masks
  Note: The eFlow®rapid enables a short inhalation time and is small, light, quiet and mobile – ideal for babies and children
• PARI BOY Classic could also be used with PARI LC SPRINT BABY nebuliser size 1 (BABY mask size 1 and BABY bend); the baby bend and baby mask can enable treatments to be done while the child is lying down

From the age of two years and again, depending on the type of drug being inhaled

• eFlow®rapid with SMARTMASK Kids OR
• PARI BOY Classic with PARI LC SPRINT BABY nebuliser size 2 (BABY mask size 2 and BABY bend)

Please also note that the PARI Filter Valve Set can be added if the drug being inhaled is an antibiotic.

• PARI SINUS2 for the treatment of the sinuses and to fight bacterial colonisation of the upper airways (nose, sinuses and throat)

• PARI PEP S can be added to a PARI LC Sprint nebuliser in place of the normal, valved mouthpiece, to combine inhalation and physiotherapy and save time
  Note: Please check with your child’s CF Team if you want to check how this is done

As well as inhalation, children with cystic fibrosis often also need respiratory physiotherapy, utilising certain breathing techniques and mobilisation exercises. Sometimes, they use a breathing technique called “autogenic drainage” which aims to remove secretions and mucus from the lungs as gently (without coughing) and effectively as possible. Respiratory devices such as the PARI PEP systems can also be helpful here, as they help remove the secretions more easily.

• PARI PEP S System – under adult supervision
• PARI PEP S System with manometer – under adult supervision

• PARI O-PEP – under adult supervision

• PARI O-PEP – for independent use

• PARI PEP S System – for independent use
• PARI PEP S System with manometer – for independent use

• World First: Woman with Cystic Fibrosis Rows Across the Atlantic, Proving What’s Possible With the Right Support
• What causes the annoying mucus and what to do about it: Coughing up phlegm
• Managing lung disease: The importance of airway clearance

Note: The information in this blog post is not a treatment recommendation. The needs of patients vary greatly from person to person. The treatment approaches presented should be viewed only as examples. PARI recommends that patients always consult with their healthcare professional first.