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Clinical findings associated with abnormal lung function in children aged 3-26 months with recurrent respiratory

A S Pelkonen1, A Kotaniemi-Syrjänen, K Malmström

  • 1Department of Allergology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. anna.pelkonen@hus.fi

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Clinical findings like increased work of breathing and abnormal chest X-rays, not parent reports, predict lung function issues in young children with recurrent respiratory symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Recurrent lower respiratory tract symptoms are common in young children.
  • Accurate assessment of lung function is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between clinical findings, parent-reported symptoms, and lung function in children with recurrent lower respiratory tract symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • 148 children (3-26 months) with recurrent respiratory symptoms underwent physical examination, chest radiography, whole-body plethysmography, and allergy testing.
  • Lung function was assessed using functional residual capacity and specific conductance z-scores.

Main Results:

  • 56% of children had abnormal lung function.
  • Physical exam findings (increased work of breathing, noisy breathing) and abnormal chest X-rays were independently associated with abnormal lung function.
  • Parent-reported symptoms, environmental exposures, and atopy were not linked to lung function abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical examination and chest radiography are important in evaluating early childhood respiratory disorders.
  • Lung function testing may provide valuable objective data in preschool children with persistent respiratory symptoms.
Abstract

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