Related Experiment Videos
Pulmonary function during the first year of life following acute viral bronchiolitis
I T Merth1, J P de Winter, H M Zonderland
1Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University, the Netherlands.
Insights
Acute viral bronchiolitis in infants did not cause lasting pulmonary function changes. Lung function returned to normal within two weeks and remained stable long-term.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute viral bronchiolitis is common in infants.
- Potential long-term effects on pulmonary function are a concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pulmonary function in infants during and after acute viral bronchiolitis.
- To determine if bronchiolitis leads to chronic pulmonary issues.
Main Methods:
- Pulmonary function tests (static respiratory system compliance, mixing index, functional residual capacity) were performed on 24 infants during acute illness and at follow-up points (2 weeks, 3 months, 12 months).
- Data were compared to predicted values from 69 healthy infants.
Main Results:
- Infants showed reduced pulmonary function at admission compared to predicted values.
- Pulmonary function normalized within 2 weeks and remained normal at 3 and 12 months.
- Recurrent wheezing prevalence was similar to population studies.
Conclusions:
- Acute viral bronchiolitis in this cohort did not result in permanent pulmonary function deficits.
- Infant lung function recovers fully after bronchiolitis.
Abstract:
It has been suggested that acute viral bronchiolitis in infants may result in functional changes that predispose toward chronic pulmonary disease later in life. We assessed pulmonary function (PF) during the acute phase of viral bronchiolitis in infants and up to 12 mo later from static respiratory system compliance (Crs), using weighted spirometry, the distribution of ventilation by the mixing index (MI), and the functional residual capacity (FRC) measured by closed-circuit helium dilution (FRCHe). The study was performed in 24 infants (13 males and 11 females; median [25 to 75% range] age: 11 [9.6 to 13.3] wk; weight: 4.8 [4.3 to 5.0] kg; crown-to-heel length: 57.7 [55.5 to 59.0] cm) at admission and at 2 wk. In 17 infants, measurements were repeated 3 mo and 12 mo later. Predicted values and individual 95% prediction intervals for Crs, MI, and FRCHe were derived from 69 healthy infants (33 boys and 36 girls; median age [25 to 75% range]: 4.7 [2.0 to 21.4] wk; weight: 3.6 [3.0 to 6.9] kg; crown-to-heel length: 51.5 [48 to 61] cm). Data at admission and after discharge were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with those in the healthy controls matched for crown-to-heel length. At admission all three variables gave lower average results than predicted means. Values for each index had attained a normal level 2 wk after admission; normal levels were maintained at 3 and 12 mo. The prevalence of recurrent wheezing (five of the 17 infants) was comparable with that reported in population studies. These findings suggest that in this population acute viral bronchiolitis did not lead to permanent changes in PF.