RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Lung growth and ventilation inhomogeneity in health
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p2010
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Sooky Lum
A1 Samatha Sonnappa
A1 Per Gustafsson
A1 Angie Wade
A1 Paul Aurora
A1 Ah-Fong Hoo
A1 Janet Stocks
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2010.abstract
AB Lung clearance index (LCI), a measure of ventilation inhomogeneity derived from multiple breath washout is more sensitive in detecting early lung disease than spirometry in preschool (PS) and school age (SA) children. In health, LCI appears to be stable in PS and SA children, but has been reported to be slightly higher during infancy. We aimed to develop a reference range for LCI from birth to 19y.Methods: LCI data from two centres using a respiratory mass spectrometer (Amis 2000) & the inert gas SF6, measured using either a mask (0-5y) or mouthpiece (>5y), while supine (infant) or seated, were collated. 485 datasets from 359 healthy subjects (44%boys; 257 from London; 102 from Goteborg; Range: age (0.1-18.7y); height (52-196cm)) were analysed.Results: Height & age were significant predictors of LCI on univariable & multivariable analyses. Mean (SD) LCI was 7.2 (0.5) in infants (0.1-2y); 6.7 (0.6) in PS (3-5y): 6.5 (0.5) in SA (6-12y) and 6.5 (0.5) in those >13y. The inverse relationships between LCI & height or age were not linear, being most marked in the younger years & no longer significant by SA.LCI was not significantly different between centres, after adjusting for height & age.Conclusions: Although LCI is fairly constant from PS years into adolescence, it is significantly higher during early life. Reference ranges to take developmental changes and measurement conditions into account should be developed for better interpretation in children with lung disease.