Although it's not commonly considered as such, oxygen is a drug. Like any drug, oxygen has side effects and potential complications even when administered within a prescribed range. Oxygen can be given through nasal cannula, prongs that fit inside the nose, via an oxygen mask or through a tube that delivers air directly into the lungs. The age of the patient, the method of oxygen delivery and the duration of therapy all play a part in the development of complications.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP, usually affects very premature infants--those that weight less than around 2.75 pounds or 1,250 grams, the National Eye Institute states. In the 1940s, when premature infants were given very high oxygen doses, the rate of ROP was very high, and monitoring techniques to ensure that only as much oxygen as was needed was given were lacking. Today, improved monitoring of oxygen levels has decreased the amount of oxygen given to premature infants, and oxygen is considered to be just one of several factors that impact development of ROP. Around 400 to 600 babies in the United States still go blind from ROP.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Premature infants given oxygen via mechanical ventilators can develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD. A combination of high amounts of supplemental oxygen, and the pressure require to force air into the lungs can damage the lungs, paradoxically requiring the infant to stay of ventilators and supplemental oxygen for a longer time. Around 5,000 to 10,000 infants each year develop BPD, mostly those weighing less than 2.2 pounds, KidsHealth from Nemours reports.
Infection
Tubing and other breathing apparatus need careful cleaning or they can become a potential source of infection into the lungs. Tracheostomy tubes and nasal cannulas require thorough cleaning to reduce bacterial contamination. People who require oxygen therapy often have increased retained respiratory secretion dues to an ineffective cough reflex, which provide an excellent medium for bacterial growth, Lois Dixon, R.N., of Dale Medical Products explains. Masks and nasal cannulas can also cause small breaks in the skin that from constant irritation can become infected.
Fire Risk
While oxygen isn't explosive, it can worsen a fire, causing a small fire to rapidly become worse, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute reports. No one should smoke in a house where oxygen is used. Tanks should always be stored upright and apart from one another so they don't hit each other, possibly causing sparks. Tanks should never be covered by clothing or other items, since small amounts of oxygen escape from the tanks and oxygen could build up in an area. People on oxygen should avoid paint thinners and other flammable liquids and stay at least five feet away from flames or heat sources.
