High-flow nasal cannula for respiratory evaluation of surfactant protein
C dysfunction
Abstract
Surfactant protein C gene (SFTPC) variations may cause hereditary
interstitial lung disease (HILD), a disease with variable prognosis. The
evaluation of treatment responsiveness of HILD with SFTPC variation
remains unclear. We present the case of a child with HILD whose
respiratory condition was appropriately evaluated using a high-flow
nasal cannula (HFNC). A 12-month-old boy with SFTPC variation developed
progressive respiratory failure. Although he was once considered a
candidate for lung transplantation, his respiratory condition was
improved by hydroxychloroquine treatment, which prevented further
therapy. Compared to a conventional nasal cannula, which could not
deliver a stable oxygen concentration, HFNC allowed us to evaluate the
improvement of oxygenation more accurately.