Lung aerosol deposition in suckling infants

Introduction Aerosol therapy in infants may be greatly compromised by face mask rejection due to squirming and crying. Lung aerosol deposition in crying infants may thereby be greatly reduced. Since ‘suckling’ on a pacifier calms infants, they should more readily accept a face mask that incorporates a pacifier. However, since infants must breathe nasally while suckling, lung aerosol deposition may be reduced due to impaction in the nose. The aim of the present pilot study was to compare lung aerosol deposition while suckling on a pacifier incorporated into a mask with that obtained while inhaling from a conventional mask. Methods Twelve infants