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Normative data for lung function and exhaled nitric oxide in unsedated healthy infants
1Division of Respiratory Medicine, Dept of Paediatrics, University Children's Hospital (UKBB), 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
The European Respiratory Journal
|November 27, 2010
Summary
This study provides crucial normative lung function data for unsedated infants, establishing reference values for tidal breathing flow-volume loops and exhaled nitric oxide. Findings highlight the impact of maternal and environmental factors on infant respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Neonatal Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Normative lung function data for unsedated infants is lacking, hindering accurate assessment of respiratory health.
- Current standards (European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society) require updated reference values for infant lung function.
- Sedation in infants can pose risks, emphasizing the need for data from unsedated subjects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative lung function data in healthy, unsedated, term-born infants according to the latest ATS/ERS standards.
- To investigate associations between lung function parameters and anthropometric/environmental factors.
- To provide reference values for future research and clinical applications where sedation is a concern.
Main Methods:
- Lung function was measured in 342 unsedated infants (mean age 5.1 weeks) using an ultrasonic flow meter during natural sleep.
- Tidal breathing flow-volume loops (TBFVL) and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) were recorded.
- Multiple-breath washout and interruption resistance (R(int)) were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Mean values established for tidal volume (7.48 mL·kg⁻¹), eNO (14.3 ppb), functional residual capacity (23.9 mL·kg⁻¹), lung clearance index (6.75), and R(int) (3.78 kPa·s·L⁻¹).
- TBFVL outcomes correlated with anthropometric parameters in males.
- In females, lung function was associated with maternal smoking, maternal asthma, and Caesarean section.
Conclusions:
- This study presents a large dataset of normative lung function values for unsedated infants.
- These reference values are vital for research and clinical practice, especially when avoiding sedation.
- Neonatal lung function is significantly influenced by maternal and environmental risk factors.
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