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Abnormalities of lung mechanics in young asthmatic children
A Greenough1, B G Loftus, J Pool
1Paediatric Respiratory Laboratory, King's College Hospital, London.
Insights
Functional residual capacity is elevated in all asthmatic children, while reduced respiratory system compliance is seen in those with active symptoms. These measurements are well-tolerated in young children with asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
- Assessing respiratory mechanics in young asthmatic children is crucial for management.
- Limited data exists on the feasibility and findings of respiratory compliance and functional residual capacity measurements in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of measuring total respiratory system compliance and functional residual capacity in young asthmatic children.
- To determine if these parameters differ in asthmatic children compared to normative values or across disease severity.
- To assess the tolerability of these measurement techniques in children aged 2.2-7.9 years.
Main Methods:
- Total respiratory system compliance was measured using the weighted spirometer technique.
- Functional residual capacity was determined via helium gas dilution.
- Measurements were attempted in 86 children with asthma aged 2.2-7.9 years.
Main Results:
- Reliable measurements were obtained in 80 out of 86 children.
- Significantly elevated functional residual capacity was observed in asthmatic children across all severity levels.
- Significantly reduced respiratory system compliance was noted only in children experiencing active symptoms or with chronic persistent asthma.
Conclusions:
- Functional residual capacity and respiratory system compliance measurements are feasible and well-tolerated in young asthmatic children.
- Elevated functional residual capacity is a consistent finding in pediatric asthma.
- Reduced respiratory system compliance may indicate active disease or chronicity, warranting further investigation for treatment monitoring.
Abstract:
Measurements of total compliance of the respiratory system by the weighted spirometer technique and of the functional residual capacity by helium gas dilution were attempted in 86 asthmatic children aged 2.2-7.9 years. In all but six of the 86 children reliable measurements could be obtained. Significantly raised functional residual capacity was detected in children with asthma of all degrees of severity. The compliance of the respiratory system was significantly abnormal (reduced) only in children who had symptoms at the time of measurement or who had chronic persistent asthma. The results indicate that these measurements are well tolerated in young asthmatic children. Further work needs to be undertaken to assess the value of this technique in following the response to treatment.