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[Longitudinal study of vital capacity during the growth of 69 poliomyelitics (author's transl)]
Insights
Children with polio show slower vital capacity growth during puberty compared to height. This study tracked 69 children, finding poorer lung function linked to paralysis and deformities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Poliomyelitis can lead to respiratory complications affecting lung development.
- Vital capacity (VC) growth in children with sequelae of polio requires further investigation.
- Understanding VC growth patterns is crucial for managing long-term respiratory health in polio survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess vital capacity (VC) growth in children recovering from poliomyelitis.
- To compare VC growth patterns with height during puberty in polio survivors.
- To identify factors associated with unfavorable respiratory outcomes in this population.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 69 children with poliomyelitis from recovery until age 17.
- Vital capacity (VC) was measured and compared to theoretical values (VCT).
- Puberty onset was defined by growth acceleration and pubic hair development; statistical analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Children with unfavorable outcomes (46) had significantly higher rates of intercostal paralysis, costal deformities, severe scoliosis (>30 degrees), and atelectasis compared to those with favorable outcomes (23).
- Vital capacity (VC) growth in polio survivors did not accelerate at the same rate as height during the two years post-puberty onset.
- This differential growth pattern was less apparent in cross-sectional studies of normal subjects not accounting for pubertal stage.
Conclusions:
- Polio survivors exhibit distinct VC growth trajectories during puberty compared to height.
- Factors like paralysis and deformities correlate with poorer respiratory outcomes.
- Longitudinal assessment, considering pubertal stage, is essential for understanding VC development in polio survivors.
Abstract:
A longitudinal study of vital capacity (VC) during the growth of 69 children with poliomyelitis was made starting shortly after the end of the period of muscular recovery until they attained 17 years. VC was compared with two theoretical values (VCT). The beginning of puberty was determined by the acceleration of growth of total height and the appearance of pubic hair. Statistical analysis of VC/VCT between the beginning and the end of the study reveals that intercostal paralysis, costal deformities, dorsal scoliosis over 30 degrees and atelectasis were significantly more frequent among the 46 children with unfavourable evolution than among the 23 children with favourable evolution. Comparison of the VC/VCT means at different periods of growth reveals that the growth of VC in poliomyelitics does not undergo the same acceleration as that of height during the two years after the beginning of puberty. In normal subjects, this phenomen has not been clearly seen in cross sectional studies which do not take into account the stage of puberty.