How can we measure the impact of pollutants on respiratory function in very young children? Methodological aspects.
There is increasing evidence that air pollution particularly affects infants and small preschool children. However, detecting air pollution effects on lung function in small children is technically difficult and requires non-invasive methods that can assess lung function and inflammatory markers in larger cohorts. This review discusses the principles, usefulness and shortcomings of various lung function techniques used to detect pollution effects in small children. The majority of these techniques have been used to detect effects of the dominant indoor pollutant, tobacco exposure. However there is increasing evidence that non-invasive lung function techniques can also detect the effects of outdoor air pollution.
Stern
Georgette
G
Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, University Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Berne, Inselspital, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
Latzin
Philipp
P
Thamrin
Cindy
C
Frey
Urs
U
D000397:Air Pollution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000502:physiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009569:Nitric Oxide