Persistent abnormal lung function after childhood empyema.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine pulmonary function tests in children at various time points in their recovery from empyema.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Academic Children's Hospital.


METHODS
Pediatric patients with a diagnosis of empyema between 1992-2000.


RESULTS
A total of 45 pulmonary function tests were carried out in 36 study participants. Within 3 months of hospital discharge, 91% of pulmonary function tests demonstrated a restrictive pattern with a mean forced vital capacity (FVC) of 69.2 +/- 4% and a mean total lung capacity (TLC) of 74.9 +/- 4% of predicted. The incidence of restriction in pulmonary function significantly decreased over time and for patients tested > 1 year from hospital discharge the mean FVC was 87.1 +/- 2% and the mean TLC 95.0 +/- 2% of predicted. However, 19% of the patients tested > 1 year from discharge demonstrated a mild restrictive pattern and 16% demonstrated a mild obstructive changes. Patients with abnormal lung function > 1 year from hospital discharge did not demonstrate any signs or symptoms of respiratory insufficiency .


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high incidence of restrictive patterns in lung function for children tested within 3 months from hospital discharge for empyema. The incidence of restrictive patterns decreased significantly over time and most patients tested >1 year from hospital discharge demonstrated normal lung function.
Kohn
Gary L
GL
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. gary.kohn@ahsys.org
Walston
Cathy
C
Feldstein
Julie
J
Warner
Brad W
BW
Succop
Paul
P
Hardie
William D
WD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D014797:Vital Capacity