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Prediction of maximal aerobic capacity in severely burned children
Laura Porro1, Haidy G Rivero, Dante Gonzalez
1Shriners Hospitals for Children, Galveston, TX 77550, USA.
Insights
A new formula estimates maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) in burned children using simple measurements from a treadmill test. This provides a practical way to assess cardiorespiratory fitness in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care
- Cardiorespiratory physiology
- Burn injury rehabilitation
Background:
- Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) is a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.
- Traditional VO₂ peak assessment requires specialized, costly equipment and expertise.
- Accessible methods for evaluating fitness in pediatric burn survivors are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an equation for estimating VO₂ peak in children with significant burns.
- To utilize readily available data from a modified treadmill test for the estimation.
- To provide a practical tool for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in this vulnerable group.
Main Methods:
- A modified Bruce treadmill test was administered to 42 children with ≥ 40% total surface area burned (TBSA) at 6 months post-injury.
- Data collected included age, gender, treadmill time, and maximal speed.
- Robust multiple regression analysis was employed to derive the prediction equation.
Main Results:
- The prediction equation derived was: VO₂ = 10.33 - 0.62 × age + 1.88 × treadmill time + 2.3 × gender (males=1, females=0).
- The correlation between measured and estimated VO₂ peak was strong (R = 0.80).
- Validation in a separate group of 33 burned children confirmed the equation's reliability (R = 0.79).
Conclusions:
- VO₂ peak can be reliably estimated in children with burns using a treadmill and basic patient information.
- This method offers a cost-effective and accessible approach to assessing cardiorespiratory fitness post-burn.
- The findings support the integration of this estimation formula into routine clinical practice for pediatric burn care.
Introduction:
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) is an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness, but requires expensive equipment and a relatively high technical skill level.
Purpose:
The aim of this study is to provide a formula for estimating VO₂ peak in burned children, using information obtained without expensive equipment.
Methods:
Children, with ≥ 40% total surface area burned (TBSA), underwent a modified Bruce treadmill test to assess VO(2) peak at 6 months after injury. We recorded gender, age, %TBSA, %3rd degree burn, height, weight, treadmill time, maximal speed, maximal grade, and peak heart rate, and applied McHenry's select algorithm to extract important independent variables and Robust multiple regression to establish prediction equations.
Results:
42 children; 7-17 years old were tested. Robust multiple regression model provided the equation: VO₂ =10.33-0.62 × age (years)+1.88 × treadmill time (min)+2.3 (gender; females = 0, males = 1). The correlation between measured and estimated VO₂ peak was R = 0.80. We then validated the equation with a group of 33 burned children, which yielded a correlation between measured and estimated VO₂ peak of R = 0.79.
Conclusions:
Using only a treadmill and easily gathered information, VO₂ peak can be estimated in children with burns.
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