Lung function in children with recurrent bronchitis.
Lung function was studied in 29 children suffering from recurrent bronchitis (average number of bronchitis attacks per year: 4.2 +/- 0.5). Most of them (73%) were 1--7 years old. The date of exploration in relation to the last acute bronchitis was on average 6 weeks. Lung mechanics, residual functional capacity, blood gases and regional lung function were measured. Most of the children were suffering from some kind of functional disorder; alteration of lung mechanics -- increase of lung resistance (22/29) decrease of dynamic compliance (15/23); increase of functional residual capacity (6/10), non specific bronchial hypersensitivity (12/17); regional ventilatory and perfusion malfunction. These functional disorders could be the first evidence of the bronchial lesions which cause chronic obstructive bronchitis in adults.
D001991:Bronchitis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008170:Lung Compliance; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012008:Recurrence; D012119:Respiration
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen