title: Peak expiratory flow in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
abstract: Spirometric and plethysmographic examinations were performed in two groups of children with idiopathic scoliosis and healthy children. Group I, 23--children with scoliosis 1 degree by Cobb, spinal curvature 17.2 degree, 12 girls and 11 boys at the age 8-15 years (the mean age was 11.4 +/- 2.4 yr). In Group II were 35 children, 28 girls and 7 boys at the age 12-19 years (the mean age was 14.67 +/- 1.47 yr) with mean angle of curvature 63.35 degree, which is grade II and III scoliosis according to Cobb. The Control Group were 20 children, 13 girls and 7 boys at the age of 8-16 years (the mean age was 13.77 +/- 1.72 yr). The measurements were done using Body--plethysmography with pneumotachograph Jaeger. All subjects had respiratory function examination performed, which included: total lung capacity (TLC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec. (FEV1), residual volume (RV) and intrathoracic gas volume (ITGV). At the same time peak expiratory flow--PEF were determined. In children with scoliosis at initial stage, Group I, were found slightly decreased total lung capacity--TLC and statistically significantly decreased intrathoracic gas volume--ITGV as well as residual volume--RV in comparison to the control group. Forced vital capacity--FVC and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec.--FEV1 were normal. But statistically significantly decreased PEF values were found in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). It means that restrictive and obstructive disturbances of lungs progressing in grade II and III scoliosis were shown manifested by reduced values of TLC, FVC, ITGV and RV. A statistically significant decrease of peak expiratory flow together with the growth of spinal curvature angle was shown in grade II and III scoliosis in comparison with both the control group and the studied Group I (p < 0.001, p < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Clinic Ward of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia.
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zaba
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010991:Plethysmography; D012115:Residual Volume; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D014797:Vital Capacity