Abstract
Methods of infant pulmonary function testing (IPFT) represent an important diagnostic tool for an assessment of chronic lung disease in infancy (CLDI). We assessed lung function in a cohort of children with a perinatal burden.
We tested 74 infants and toddlers (birth weight 1.47±1.11kg [mean±SD]; body length at birth 30.8±16.3cm with CLDI. Age at testing was 1.38±0.69 (median 1.35) yrs; body weight 9.0±2.2kg, body length 76.0±9.7cm. The whole-body plethysmography (to measure FRCp and sReff), tidal breathing analysis (tPTEF%tE), baby resistance/compliance (specific Crs) and rapid thoraco-abdominal compression method (VmaxFRC) were performed. MS Baby Body, VIASYS, USA was used. Standard protocols [1] and proper reference values [2] were used.
FRCp equals 115.3±41.2% pred (P<0.02), sReff reached 134.6±93.8% pred (P<0.005). A parameter of tPTEF%tE mildly decreased (23.5±10.6%). Specific compliance rs (Crs/kg) was 14.4±3.9 ml/kPa/kg; V'maxFRC reached 136±69 ml/sec.
In infants and toddlers with a perinatal burden peripheral and central airway obstruction with mild (secondary) hyperinflation was found. Mildly increased specific compliance of the respiratory system was also found. No restrictive pattern was detected. Serial IPFT assessments in our cohort is required to validate present data.
References:
1. Hammer J, Eber E (eds). Pediatric Pulmonary Function Testing, 2005, Basel, Karger.
2. Hulskamp G et al: Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003;168:1003-9.
Supported by the project “Follow-up of children with perinatal burden” of EEA and Norway grants and by the grant NT/11444-5.
- © 2011 ERS
