VPPI does indeed appear to have a positive effect on chest growth in children with type I SMA

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A French retrospective study assessed the effect of intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) using the Alpha 300® in seven children with type I spinal muscular atrophy, with a median age of 4.8 years, who were being treated with Zolgensma® (four of them) or Nusinersen®.

  • After four months of daily use for around 20 minutes, the ratio of chest circumference to head circumference increased significantly.
  • Only one child did not respond to IPPV.
  • The duration of the study was too short to measure a significant effect on the number of hospitalisations due to exacerbations.

Randomised controlled trials involving larger cohorts will be required to confirm the results of this pilot study.

Impact of Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing on Thoracic Growth in Children With Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Thébault C, Denamur S, Thomas G et al. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2026 Août.

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