[3-min step test: feasibility study for children with bone marrow transplantation]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Hematology
• Transplantation Medicine

Context:

• Bronchiolitis obliterans is a significant complication following bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
• Early diagnosis of exercise-induced dyspnea and hypoxemia is crucial for better patient outcomes.
• Assessing exercise tolerance can aid in the early detection of respiratory symptoms.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the feasibility and tolerance of the 3-minute step-test in children who have undergone BMT.
• To determine if the 3-minute step-test can be a useful tool for respiratory monitoring in this population.

Summary:

• Ten pediatric patients (median age 11.7 years) completed the 3-minute step-test within 3 months of BMT.
• The test involved stepping up and down a 15 cm step for 3 minutes, with heart rate and oxygen saturation monitored.
• All children tolerated the test well, with no significant exercise-induced hypoxemia reported.

Impact:

• The 3-minute step-test is a practical and safe assessment for pediatric BMT recipients.
• This test shows potential as a valuable tool for the ongoing respiratory surveillance of children post-transplant.