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A novel method for detecting airway narrowing using breath sound spectrum analysis in children
Hideyuki Tabata1, Mariko Hirayama1, Mayumi Enseki1
1Department of Pediatrics, Tokai University School of Medicine, Shimokasuya 143, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.
Insights
New breath sound spectrum curve indexes show promise for assessing airway narrowing in children, as they are less affected by airflow. These findings could aid in evaluating bronchoconstriction in pediatric asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Investigating novel clinical parameters for breath sound analysis in young children.
- Focus on parameters minimally affected by airflow variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and validate new breath sound parameters (spectrum curve indexes) for assessing airway narrowing.
- To determine if these new parameters are independent of airflow rate, age, and height.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a breath sound analyzer on 65 children with asthma.
- Calculated common breath sound parameters and novel spectrum curve indexes.
- Assessed parameter reliability, relationships with airflow/spirometry, and response to methacholine.
Main Results:
- Spectrum curve indexes demonstrated no significant relationship with airflow rate, age, or height.
- Common breath sound parameters showed significant correlations with airflow and spirometry.
- All measured parameters, including spectrum curve indexes, changed significantly after methacholine inhalation.
Conclusions:
- Spectrum curve indexes are robust to airflow variations at the mouth.
- These novel parameters effectively indicate airway narrowing and bronchoconstriction in children.
- Spectrum curve indexes offer a potential tool for assessing pediatric airway conditions.
Background:
Using a breath sound analyzer, we investigated new clinical parameters that are rarely affected by airflow in young children.
Methods:
A total of 65 children with asthma participated in this study (mean age 9.6 years). In Study 1, the intra- and inter-observer variability was measured. Common breath sound parameters, frequency at 99%, 75%, and 50% of the maximum frequency (F99, F75, and F50) and the highest frequency of inspiratory breath sounds were calculated. In addition, new parameters obtained using the ratio of sound spectra parameters, i.e., the spectrum curve indexes including the ratio of the third and fourth area to the total area and the ratio of power and frequency at F75 and F50, were calculated. In Study 2, 51 children underwent breath sound analyses. In Study 3, breath sounds were studied before and after methacholine inhalation.
Results:
In Study 1, the data showed good inter- and intra-observer reliability. In Study 2, there were significant relationships between the airflow rate, age, height, and spirometric and common breath sound parameters. However, there were no significant relationships between the airflow rate and the spectrum curve indexes. Moreover, the spectrum curve indexes showed no relationships with age, height, or spirometric parameters. In Study 3, all parameters significantly changed after methacholine inhalation.
Conclusions:
Some spectrum curve indexes are not significantly affected by the airflow rate at the mouth, although they successfully indicate airway narrowing. These parameters may play a role in the assessment of bronchoconstriction in children.
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