[3-min step test: feasibility study for children with bone marrow transplantation].
BACKGROUND
Bronchiolitis obliterans following a bone marrow transplantation needs an early diagnosis for a better evolution. First signs are exercise dyspnea and hypoxemia. A walking test evaluating the tolerance for effort could have an interest in detecting such symptoms. We report a preliminary study of feasibility of the 3-minute step-test in children with a bone marrow transplantation.


METHODS
Ten patients (5 boys, median 11.7 years, range 5.1-15.5 years) were included within at least 3 months away from a bone marrow transplantation. After clinical examination and realisation of pulmonary function tests, the test was to step up and down a single step which is 15 cm high, rhythmically (30 per minute) during 3 minutes. Heart rate and pulsed oxygen saturation were registered, dyspnea being assessed before and after the test by means of a visual analogue score and the fifteen-count breathlessness score.


RESULTS
All the children realised the 3-minute step-test successfully and with excellent tolerance. Only 1 child made an effort judged maximum. No hypoxemia caused by the effort was highlighted.


CONCLUSIONS
The 3-minute step-test is easy to achieve in a population of paediatric patients who have undergone a bone marrow transplantation. It could be a valuable tool in the respiratory follow up of these children.
Arlaud
K
K
Unité de Médecine Infantile, CHU Timone Enfants, Marseille, France.
Stremler-Le Bel
N
N
Michel
G
G
Dubus
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005080:Exercise Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests