Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of modified transnasal sputum aspiration in children with pneumonia. Methods Five hundred and eighty-eight children with pneumonia admitted to pediatric respiratory department of our hospital were divided into observation group (n=295) and control group (n=293) according to the method of random number table. The control group adopted the traditional method of suction through mouth and nose but the observation group the method of suction through mouth combined with the modified transnasal sputum aspiration through nose. Nasal mucosal bleeding, average times of suction and the length of hospitalization time of the two groups were compared. Results The degree and the incidence of hemorrhage in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.001). The average number of sputum aspiration in the observation group was less than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Modified transnasal sputum aspiration is helpful for reducing nasal mucosal bleeding and the frequency of sputum aspiration in children with pneumonia, which is beneficial to the recovery of children and shortening hospitalization time.

Key words: modified transnasal sputum aspiration, hemorrhage of nasal mucosa, infant, pneumonia