Enhancing Child Compliance with Nebulized Respiratory Treatment: A Case Study

A 2.7-year-old developmentally delayed boy diagnosed as having chronic lung disease, severe hyaline membrane disease, and persistent pulmonary hypertension with interstitial emphysema was referred in hopes of modifying his refusal to wear a mask during nebulized administrations of Chromolyn. The child was prescribed four 20-minute nebulized treatments daily but resisted treatment and removed the mask by turning his head and pushing the mask away with his hands. A procedure was implemented to gradually teach the child that turning his head and pushing the mask would not result in mask removal, and that by wearing the mask he would receive positive attention. By the end of treatment, the child was consistently wearing his mask for the required 20-minute intervals. Follow-up at 3 months confirmed maintenance of treatment effects.