Hyperbaric Treatment for Children

Hyperbaric therapy or HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) for children is used primarily to treat brain disorders. These include autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions like stroke. Its premise is that brain cells that are damaged have potential for recovery and can do so when they are flooded with oxygen. In a study sponsored by the International Hyperbarics Association, 18 children with autism demonstrated significant developmental improvement after hyperbaric therapy. Many discussion forums post success stories about HBOT for children, including one at epilepsy.com.

How it Works

• Oxygen is necessary for life. The air in our environment is about 21 percent oxygen. If you receive oxygen by face mask or nasal prongs, it is theoretically 100 percent oxygen. In a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the oxygen is 100 percent and delivered under pressure that delivers the oxygen is much greater amounts. According to Palmetto Health in South Carolina, a facility that performs the procedure, two to three times as much oxygen is delivered in the pressurized chamber. This greatly increases the benefit to the patient by improving the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream that then gets carried to cells and promotes healing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for brain dysfunction is usually used in conjunction with other therapies, depending upon the type of brain damage. For example, children with cerebral palsy may also get physical therapy, speech therapy and other supports as well. For others, HBOT may be the primary therapy.

What Therapy is Like

• A patient receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy lies in a chamber that looks like a giant fish tank in which he may watch television, listen to music or sleep. Depending upon the condition, one or several treatments may be necessary. Each treatment takes about two hours. Some are ordered as frequently as five times each week. Many patients feel pressure in their ears during therapy. Some pressure relievers include swallowing or chewing gum. Mild ear crackling may continue between treatments but is temporary in most cases. After treatments, a period of light-headedness is sometimes reported. Normally, this resolves and does not interfere with activities of daily living. A more rare side effect is changes in vision. Palmetto Health stresses that these changes are temporary and usually resolve completely a few weeks after discontinuation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Other Considerations

• During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it is important to avoid anything that interferes with the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood vessels. Caffeine and tobacco products should not be used during the course of treatment. Talk to your provider about your child's medications since some do impede oxygen flow. Hair should be free of oily products. No battery operated toys or devices are allowed in the chamber due to the danger of static electricity.