Pulmonary function in children after open water SCUBA dives.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Sports Medicine
• Diving Physiology

Background:

• Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diving is increasingly popular among children and adolescents.
• SCUBA diving poses health risks, including pulmonary barotrauma, particularly in pediatric populations and those with pre-existing airflow limitations.
• Limited data exists on the impact of open-water diving on children's pulmonary function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of SCUBA diving on airflow and pulmonary function in healthy children.
• To assess changes in lung function parameters following simulated diving conditions.

Main Methods:

• 16 healthy children (aged 10-13 years) participated in the study.
• Participants underwent spirometry and a cycle-exercise challenge with cold air inhalation.
• Pulmonary function was measured before and after dives to 1-m and 8-m depths, performed in random order.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant decreases in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, MEF25, and MEF50 were observed after the cold-air exercise and dives.
• In 3 children, post-dive forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decrements exceeded 10%.
• These children with greater lung function decline had lower body weight and BMI percentile, suggesting a potential link to diving-associated bronchoconstriction.

Conclusions:

• SCUBA diving in healthy children can be associated with relevant airflow limitation.
• Lower body mass index may be a contributing factor to diving-induced bronchoconstriction in pediatric divers.
• While some children experienced significant lung function changes, the majority did not exhibit clinically relevant airway obstruction.