Lung growth by lung carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, in healthy children residing at 2240 m above sea level

Abstract

Growth in lung function, especially lung carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO), and maximal respiratory pressures (MRP) has been scarcely studied.

Objetives: 1) Describe growth of DLCO and MRP during infancy and compare to spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS), 2)identify determinants of DLCO and MRP, obtain reference values of DLCO for children residing at 2240 m.

Methods: Healthy children from México were included. Children performed DLCO, spirometry, MRP and IOS, according to the ATS/ERS standards.

Results: 229 children included; DLCO was higher in boys (figure 1A), trajectory of DLCO during growth was parallel to FVC and MRP and inverse to resistances, (figure 1B). DLCO reference equation, boys: 26.98-(age*1.7)+(age²*0.12)-(height*0.19)+(height²*0.0016)–(1/weight*88.26), r²=0.71; girls: 25.18–(age*2.74)+(age²*0.18)-(height*0.23)+(height²*0.0019)–(1/weight*2.29), r²=0.0.75.

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Conclusion: Growth of lung and airway size is parallel to that of lung diffusing capacity.