Interrupter technique in infancy: Higher airway resistance and lower short-term variability in preterm versus term...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Neonatology
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• The interrupter technique (Rint) is a feasible method for assessing bronchial obstruction in preschool children.
• Limited data exists on Rint values and variability in preterm infants.
• This study aimed to measure and compare Rint and its variability in term and preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of measuring airway resistance using the interrupter technique in infancy.
• To compare Rint values and variability between healthy term and preterm infants.
• To investigate potential differences in airway mechanics between these groups.

Main Methods:

• High-quality Rint measurements were obtained from 50 term and 48 preterm infants at postmenstrual age of 42-50 weeks.
• Intra- and inter-measurement variability were assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV).
• Measurements were conducted in two Swiss study centers.

Main Results:

• Mean Rint was significantly lower in term infants (4.2 ± 1.9 kPa·s·L⁻¹) compared to preterm infants (5.6 ± 2.8 kPa·s·L⁻¹).
• Mean CV was significantly higher in term infants (29.6 ± 14.9%) than in preterm infants (20.2 ± 8.4%).
• No significant differences in Rint or CV were found between repeated measurements in subgroups of term and preterm infants.

Conclusions:

• The interrupter technique can assess differences in airway mechanics between term and preterm infants in early infancy.
• Further research is needed to understand the underlying reasons for measurement variability before widespread clinical application.
• Findings suggest distinct airway characteristics in preterm neonates.