Lung function following thermal injury in children--an 8-year follow up

despite the frequency of pulmonary complications and the reports of abnormal lung function as a sequela of severe thermal injury, most of the lung function studies following thermal injury have been directed at the immediate post-burn period. This investigation is designed to evaluate late residual respiratory impairment in patients with severe thermal injury.

spirometry and lung volumes were completed on 17 children with severe thermal injury 8 years post-injury. None of the patients had pre-existing lung disease prior to injury.

the patient demographic data was as follows: nine male, eight female patients; mean TBSB=67+/-29%; mean third degree=62+/-32%; 13 patients had inhalation injury diagnosed by bronchoscopy. Spirometry and lung volumes at examination as a percentage of predicted values were: [see table in text]. Spirometry and lung volumes show: two patients had an obstructive disease process; nine patients had an obstructive and restrictive disease process; five patients had a purely restrictive process; and one patient had a diffusion defect.

the data indicate that children who survive severe thermal injury may not regain normal lung function.