Abstract
Background
Infant lung function in early life can predict respiratory diseases and later lung development. Due to technical challenges, studies on infant lung function were mostly done in Western countries. There is limited information on infant lung function in other parts of the world.
Aim
We aimed to identify determinants of the lung function distribution in healthy Southeast Asian infants and to compare these with a Western population.
Method
We performed a cross-sectional study in a mother and child hospital in Jakarta, from June to October 2012. Using the automated single occlusion technique we measured lung function in 124 infants (aged 1-10 months). Anthropometry was measured and other possible determinants were recorded using a questionnaire. The data of compliance and resistance of the respiratory system were compared with data from the Wheezing Illnesses Study Leidsche Rijn (WHISTLER) in The Netherlands.
Results
Technically acceptable lung function measurements were obtained in 96 children (77.4% of all eligible subjects). With increasing of age, weight and length, compliance increased and resistance decreased. Every kilogram increased in weight was followed by 12.70 mL/kPa compliance increased (95%CI 9.44 to 15.95) and -0.47 kPa/L/s Rrs decreased (95%CI -0.63 to -0.30). This result was similar in the WHISTLER population (p-values interaction term of Crs and Rrs respectively 0.753 and 0.967). Children living in more polluted areas had a lower compliance (linear regression coefficients adjusted for weight -12.61 mL/kPa, 95%CI -22.84 to -2.38).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that besides age, weight and height, air pollution is an important determinant of infant lung function in Southeast Asian children.
- © 2014 ERS
