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Abnormal control of ventilation in adolescents with myelodysplasia

S Swaminathan1, J Y Paton, S L Ward

  • 1Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Pulmonology, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, CA 90027.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|December 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Adolescents with myelomeningocele show persistent abnormal ventilatory control, specifically a reduced hypercapnic ventilatory response. This suggests lasting effects of the condition on breathing regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pulmonology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infants with myelomeningocele exhibit ventilatory control abnormalities.
  • It is unknown if these respiratory control issues persist into adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate persistent ventilatory control abnormalities in adolescents and young adults with myelomeningocele.
  • To compare respiratory responses between myelomeningocele patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 14 patients with myelomeningocele and Arnold-Chiari malformation (mean age 18 years).
  • Compared them with 14 age-matched healthy control subjects.
  • Assessed pulmonary function, ventilatory muscle strength, and hypercapnic/hypoxic ventilatory responses.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in pulmonary function or muscle strength were found.
  • Patients with myelomeningocele had significantly lower hypercapnic ventilatory responses compared to controls (1.98 vs. 3.33 L/min/mmHg).
  • Hypoxic ventilatory responses and their correlation with hypercapnic responses differed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescents and young adults with myelomeningocele retain abnormalities in ventilatory control.
  • The Arnold-Chiari malformation may impair central chemosensitivity and respiratory control integration.

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