Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Three-Dimensional Phase Resolved Functional Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2024
Regional lung ventilation pattern in preschool children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia is modified by bronchodilator
Wojciech Durlak1, Małgorzata Klimek1, Przemko Kwinta1
1Department of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University, Wielicka 265, Cracow, 30-663, Poland.
Insights
Electrical Impedance Segmentography (EIS) monitoring shows bronchodilator response (BDR) to salbutamol increases lung ventilation in preschool children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study demonstrates EIS feasibility for assessing BPD lung function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major complication of prematurity, lacking standardized pulmonary function tests for preschool children.
- Assessing lung function in young children with BPD is challenging due to the absence of established testing methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of Electrical Impedance Segmentography (EIS) for monitoring preschool children with BPD.
- To investigate the impact of bronchodilator response (BDR) to salbutamol on lung ventilation patterns in children with BPD.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study involving 51 four-year-old children (33 with BPD, 18 without) treated in a tertiary NICU.
- EIS monitoring was conducted before and after salbutamol administration during spontaneous tidal breathing.
- Data analyzed included segmental impedance amplitude differences and ventilation inhomogeneity index (II).
Main Results:
- Children with BPD showed a significant increase in impedance amplitude in gravity non-dependent lung segments (upper left and right) post-salbutamol.
- Ventilation inhomogeneity index (II) also significantly increased in these non-dependent segments in the BPD group.
- No significant changes in ventilation patterns were observed in the lower lung segments or in children without BPD.
Conclusions:
- Bronchodilator response to salbutamol enhances breath amplitude in non-dependent lung segments in preschool children with BPD.
- EIS monitoring is a feasible method for assessing lung ventilation patterns and BDR in preschool children with BPD.
Background:
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a significant long-term complication of prematurity. A standardized method of pulmonary function testing is still not available in preschool children with BPD. We investigated the feasibility of Electrical Impedance Segmentography (EIS) monitoring in this group and the impact of bronchodilator response (BDR) to salbutamol on the pattern of lung ventilation.
Methods:
We conducted a follow-up study of 4-year-old premature children who had been treated in the tertiary NICU. The cohort was divided into two groups based on the presence of BPD. EIS monitoring was performed before and 15 min after the administration of 400 µg of salbutamol (pMDI with spacer) in all subjects during spontaneous tidal breathing in upright position. Data were expressed as median segmental impedance amplitude differences and segmental ventilation inhomogeneity index (II) changes.
Results:
We included 51 children in our analysis: 33 with BPD (median birth weight-840 g; median gestational age-27 weeks) and 18 without BPD (1,290 g; 30 weeks, respectively). There was a significant increase in median segmental impedance amplitude after salbutamol in gravity non-dependent segments in children with BPD: upper left (UL): 462 versus 534 AU; (P = 0.003); upper right (UR): 481 versus 595 AU (P < 0.001) and II in these segments: UL: 0.046 versus 0.078 (P = 0.003) UR: 0.049 versus 0.064 (P = 0.006). There were no changes in the lower segments. There were no changes in ventilation pattern in children without BPD.
Conclusion:
BDR to salbutamol increases breath amplitude in gravity non-dependent segments of the lungs during spontaneous tidal breathing in preschool children with BPD. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:353-359. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:15Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
01:14Ventilatory Modes
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
01:24Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs...