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Adult-type pulmonary function tests in infants without respiratory disease
R Castile1, D Filbrun, R Flucke
1Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA. castiler@pediatrics.ohio-state.edu
Pediatric Pulmonology
|September 6, 2000
Summary
This study establishes normal pulmonary function reference ranges for infants and young children using a new method for measuring maximal expiratory flow-volume curves and fractional lung volumes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Assessing infant pulmonary function is challenging.
- New methods are needed to measure lung function in sedated infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define normal ranges for novel pulmonary function measures in infants and young children.
- To validate a new technique for measuring maximal expiratory flow-volume curves and fractional lung volumes.
Main Methods:
- Maximal expiratory flow-volume curves were measured using the raised lung volume, thoracoabdominal compression technique.
- Functional residual capacity (FRC) was measured plethysmographically.
- Measurements were taken in 22 healthy children (3-120 weeks old).
Main Results:
- Total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), FRC, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flows (FEF) increased with infant length.
- RV/TLC, FRC/TLC, and FEF(25-75)/FVC declined with increasing length.
- Measurements were comparable to existing methods.
Conclusions:
- This method provides a reasonable reference standard for infant pulmonary function.
- These findings are crucial for diagnosing respiratory issues in young children.
- The study successfully established normative data for key pulmonary function parameters.