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Interrupter resistance changes in children with bronchiolitis

Ozge Yilmaz1, Ayhan Sogut, Senem Alkan

  • 1Celal Bayar Univerity Medical Faculty, Dept. of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology, Monisa, Turkey. oyilmaz_76@hotmail.com

Pneumologia (Bucharest, Romania)
|February 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Lung function testing in infants with bronchiolitis is challenging. The interrupter technique effectively measures airway resistance in unsedated young children during and after acute bronchiolitis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Assessing lung function in infants with bronchiolitis is crucial for treatment but faces challenges like sedation needs and lack of standardization.
  • The interrupter technique offers a potential solution for evaluating airway function in this age group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate lung function changes using the interrupter technique in unsedated wheezing children under three years old during and after acute bronchiolitis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study enrolled children under three with acute bronchiolitis.
  • Interrupter resistance (Rint) measurements were taken using a face mask during and after the acute phase.
  • Data on bronchiolitis severity, duration, and hospitalization were recorded.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in expiratory Rint values was observed after clinical bronchiolitis findings resolved (1.08 vs. 0.80 kPa.L-1.s).
  • Flow measurements remained stable, while mouth pressure decreased significantly post-illness.

Conclusions:

  • The interrupter technique demonstrated higher airway resistance during acute bronchiolitis in young children.
  • Rint measurements can detect changes in airway function in unsedated infants with bronchiolitis in ambulatory settings.
Abstract

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