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Analysis of tidal breathing parameters in infancy: how variable is TPTEF:TE?
J Stocks1, C A Dezateux, E A Jackson
1Portex Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Respiratory Medicine Unit, Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|November 1, 1994
Summary
This study found that sedation does not affect the time to peak tidal expiratory flow as a proportion of total expiratory time (TPTEF:TE) in infants. At least 10 breaths across two epochs are needed for reliable TPTEF:TE measurements in early life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Physiology
- Infant Lung Function Testing
- Neonatal Respiratory Health
Background:
- Increasing interest in tidal breathing parameters for early respiratory morbidity studies.
- Limited understanding of factors influencing variability in TPTEF:TE.
- Need for reliable measurement techniques in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the influence of sedation on TPTEF:TE in infants.
- To determine the optimal number of breaths and epochs for TPTEF:TE measurement.
- To assess short-term repeatability of TPTEF:TE considering age-related differences.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of TPTEF:TE in 266 healthy infants (1 day to 19 months).
- Comparison of TPTEF:TE in sedated (triclofos sodium) versus unsedated infants.
- Analysis of breath and epoch requirements for reliable estimates.
- Assessment of short-term repeatability across different age groups.
Main Results:
- Mean TPTEF:TE decreased from 0.49 in the first 2 weeks to 0.34 by 5-8 weeks, stabilizing thereafter.
- Sedation with triclofos sodium showed no significant effect on TPTEF:TE.
- At least 10 breaths in two separate epochs are required for representative TPTEF:TE.
- Repeat measurements demonstrated good short-term repeatability, with better agreement in older infants.
Conclusions:
- Sedation does not significantly alter TPTEF:TE measurements in infants.
- Established protocols for breath and epoch counts ensure reliable TPTEF:TE assessment.
- TPTEF:TE is a repeatable parameter in infants, with age-specific considerations for interpretation.