Northside Health Library

Oxygen therapy - infants


Oxygen is a gas that the cells in your body need to work properly. The air we breathe normally contains 21% oxygen. We can receive up to 100% oxygen.


Babies with heart or lung problems may need to breathe increased amounts of oxygen to get normal levels of oxygen in their blood.


There are several different ways to deliver oxygen to a baby. Which method is used depends on how much oxygen is needed and whether the baby needs a breathing machine.


A thin, soft, plastic tube called a nasal cannula may be used instead. This tube has soft prongs that gently fit into the baby’s nose. Oxygen flows through the tube. The baby must be able to breathe without assistance to use this type of oxygen therapy.

Another method is a nasal CPAP system. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It is used for babies who need more help breathing than they can get from an oxygen hood or nasal cannula, but they do not need a machine to completely breathe for them. A CPAP machine delivers oxygen through tubes with soft nasal prongs. The air is under higher pressure, which helps the lungs better expand (inflate). CPAP can be given with a ventilator.

Finally, a breathing machine or ventilator may be needed to deliver increased oxygen and breathe for the baby. The oxygen flows through a tube placed down the baby's windpipe. The ventilator will also breathe for the baby if the baby is too weak, tired, or sick to breathe.


Too much or too little oxygen can be harmful. If the cells in the body get too little oxygen, energy production decreases. With too little energy, cells may not work well and may die. Your baby may not grow properly. Many of the developing organs, including the brain and heart, may be injured.

Too much oxygen can also cause injury. Breathing too much oxygen can damage the lung. Under certain conditions, too much oxygen in the blood may also lead to problems in the brain and eye. Babies with certain heart conditions may also need lower levels of oxygen in the blood.

Your baby’s doctors and nurses will try to balance how much oxygen your baby needs. If you have questions about the risks and benefits of oxygen for your baby, discuss these with your doctor.



Most (but not all) nasal cannulas use cool, dry oxygen. At higher flow rates, this irritate the inner nose, causing cracked skin, bleeding, or mucus plugs in the nose. This can increase the risk for infection.

Similar problems can occur with nasal CPAP devices. Also, some CPAP devices use wide nasal prongs that can change the shape of the nose.


Review Date: 11/14/2011

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