RESULTS
A total of 622 children were initiated on long-term NIV in the province of Alberta over the study period. The median age for NIV initiation 7.8 (IQR 9.2) years and 61% were males (Table 1). The most common diagnostic category was upper airway disorders, followed by disorders of the central nervous system (CNS; specific underlying disorders specified in Table 2). A quarter of children were using a technology in addition to NIV therapy (Table 1). CPAP was used by 75% of children and the most common mask type was a nasal mask (62%). 73% of children were initiated electively after a PSG study while 18% started NIV during a hospital admission. Forty-six percent of children continued NIV, 39% discontinued, 14% were transferred to adult services, and 1% were lost to follow-up. Of the children who discontinued NIV, 16% of the total discontinued due to improvements in the underlying conditions, 15% of patients/family declined continuing NIV therapy, 5% died, and 1% switched to IMV. Follow up data were available for 97% of children for the initial follow-up visit and 61% had sufficient data for inclusion at the most current visit. A total of 93% of children reported at least one NIV-related complication during the initial follow-up visit and 90% in the most current follow-up visit.