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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
Three-Dimensional Phase Resolved Functional Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2024
Predicting the outcome of respiratory disease in wheezing infants using tidal flow-volume loop shape
E Keklikian1, P Cornes2, C J Cela1
1Paediatric Pulmonology Unit, Paediatric Department, Hospital Quirón Palmaplanas, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Introduction And Objectives:
Wheezing (RW) infants with a positive asthma predictive index (API+) have a lower lung function as measured by forced expiratory techniques. Tidal flow-volume loops (TFVL) are easy to perform in infants, and sedation is not necessary.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 216 wheezing infants were successfully measured, and 183 of them were followed for over a year. TFVL loops were classified into one of three categories depending of their geometric shape (symmetric, convex, and concave). Respiratory rate (Rr), presence of API+, and the number of exacerbations during the following year were also recorded.
Results:
Children with concave loops had more exacerbations in the following year (OR = 6.8 [IC95% 3.33;13.91]). Infants API + were also significantly more related to concave loops (OR = 10.02 [IC 95% 4.53; 22.15]). Rr was higher in infants with concave loops (44+/-15.5 vs. 36.6 +/-12.6; p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Infants with a concave TFVL have a higher probability of experiencing exacerbations in the following year, and are at a higher risk of suffering asthma.
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