Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Pulmonary Function Testing Using Tidal Breath Flow-Volume Loops in Healthy Children 1-24 Months of Age in Semi-Rural
Charl Verwey1, Srijana Dongol2, Renu Shahi2
1Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Background And Objective:
Early-life insults affect lung function trajectories throughout life. In Nepal there is a high burden of disease from lower respiratory tract infections, and high levels of exposure to household and environmental pollution. To enable assessment of these factors on lung development we aimed to assess the feasibility of establishing a pulmonary function laboratory for tidal breath flow-volume loops (TBFVL) in infants and children in Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Methods:
A pulmonary function laboratory was established and TBFVL testing, meeting international quality standards, were performed on healthy children 1-24 months of age, between October 2024 and May 2025, in Dhulikhel, Nepal. Results were interpreted by local staff after initial training and ongoing oversight by international experts. TBFVL indices with coefficient of variation (CoV) were reported and inter-interpreter level of agreement evaluated using Bland-Altman plots.
Results:
Eighty-six children were included, of which 80 (93%) had successful tests. Fifty-five (69%) 0- <4 months, 12 (15%) 4- < 12 months and 13 (16%) 12-24 months of age. The CoV ranged from 4.7 (4.4, 5.2) for tidal volume to 19.5 (15.8, 24.1) for the ratio of the proportion of time to reach peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory time (TPTEF/TE), with CoV being similar across age groups. Agreement between local and expert international assessors was good, with the largest mean inter-interpreter difference observed for TPTEF/TE.
Conclusion:
Establishing a pulmonary function laboratory and achieving high-quality TBFVL measurements with expert-level interpretation is feasible in Nepal and contributes to the knowledge of normal pulmonary function values in Nepali children.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:15Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
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...
01:29Assessment 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:
01:26Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
01:22Respiratory Volumes and Capacities