Pediatric pulmonology
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Pediatric pulmonology · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyPracticability of nitrogen multiple-breath washout measurements in a pediatric cystic fibrosis outpatient setting.
Although lung clearance index (LCI) is a sensitive indicator of mild cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, it is rarely measured due to lengthy protocols and the commercial unavailability of multiple-breath washout (MBW) setups and tracer gases. We used a newly validated, commercially available nitrogen (N2 ) MBW setup to assess success rate, duration, and variability of LCI within a 20 min timeframe, during clinical routine. We also evaluated the relationship between LCI and other clinical markers of CF lung disease. ⋯ Using available N2 MBW equipment, LCI measurements are practical and fast in children. LCI is correlated with markers of CF lung disease. Longer timeframes would be required for triplicate N2 MBW tests in inexperienced children.
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Pediatric pulmonology · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyLung function outcome at school age in very low birth weight children.
The aim of this study was to assess pulmonary function and its predictors in very low birth weight (birth weight ≤1,500 g) children (VLBWc) with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), born at gestational age ≤32 weeks at a single tertiary center during 1996-1999, after the introduction of surfactant therapy. ⋯ VLBWc at school age showed lung function abnormalities characterized by airway obstruction, hyperinflation, and diffusion impairment. Neonatal lung damage together with preterm birth may play a role in worsening the functional respiratory outcome.
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Pediatric pulmonology · Aug 2013
Case ReportsA child with progressive multiple tracheal diverticulae: a variation of the Mounier-Kuhn syndrome.
Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by tracheobronchomegaly. Most commonly presenting in adults, a broad spectrum of clinical abnormalities has been described. We report a young woman followed since 4 years of age for respiratory symptoms who was eventually found to have tracheobronchomegaly and multiple tracheal diverticulae.
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Pediatric pulmonology · Jul 2013
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialRespiratory impedance and bronchodilator responsiveness in healthy children aged 2-13 years.
The forced oscillation technique (FOT) can be used in children as young as 2 years of age and in those unable to perform routine spirometry. There is limited information on changes in FOT outcomes in healthy children beyond the preschool years and the level of bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in healthy children. We aimed to create reference ranges for respiratory impedance outcomes collated from multiple centers. Outcomes included respiratory system resistance (R(rs)) and reactance (X(rs)), resonant frequency (Fres), frequency dependence of R(rs) (Fdep), and the area under the reactance curve (AX). We also aimed to define the physiological effects of bronchodilators in a large population of healthy children using the FOT. ⋯ We have established generalizable reference ranges for respiratory impedance and defined cut-offs for a positive bronchodilator response using the FOT in healthy children.