FRC measurements using body plethysmography in young children.
BACKGROUND
Measurement of FRC in whole body plethysmography (FRCpleth) is not performed in young children (aged 3-5 years) because it involves sitting alone in a closed box and breathing attempts against occlusion.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of measuring FRCpleth in young children.


RESULTS
Seventy-one of 102 children (age range 3.3-6.9 years) performed spirometry and FRCpleth measurements. Twenty-six children had controlled asthma (Group-A); 26 children were tested during asthma exacerbation had uncontrolled asthma (Group-UA), and 19 children were tested after receiving chemotherapy treatment (Group-C). Tests according to adult recommendations were first taught outside the plethysmograph and then performed with minor technical adaptations. Each test included two consecutive FRC measurements obtained during 2-3 sec of occlusion. Total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) were calculated. Values were compared to FRC measured by Helium-dilution (FRC-He) in healthy preschool children and to extrapolated FRCpleth values of school children, and between the groups.


RESULTS
Group-A showed normal spirometry and normal TLC values, with mildly elevated FRCpleth and RV values (125 +/- 20 and 153 +/- 33 %predicted, respectively; P < 0.0001 for both values). Group-UA showed obstructed flows combined with high FRCpleth and RV (146 +/- 26 and 189 +/- 38 %predicted; P < 0.0001) and normal TLC. Group-C showed a restrictive spirometry pattern combined with lower than normal TLC (86 +/- 15 %predicted; P < 0.0251).


CONCLUSIONS
Measuring absolute lung volumes by plethysmography in young children is feasible and can detect abnormal lung volumes. It is essential to study a larger group of healthy children for reference values and to allow for standardization of the procedure.
Vilozni
Daphna
D
Pediatric Pulmonary Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital of Haifa, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. avi_vil@bezeqint.net
Efrati
Ori
O
Hakim
Fahed
F
Adler
Adi
A
Livnat
Galit
G
Bentur
Lea
L
D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body; D013147:Spirometry; D014109:Total Lung Capacity