哮喘和咳嗽变异性哮喘儿童肺常规通气功能的比较

目的：比较哮喘与咳嗽变异性哮喘（CVA）患儿肺常规通气功能的变化。方法：选择2010年 5月至2011年5月确诊为哮喘或CVA的患儿140例,分为哮喘急性发作组（发作组,50例）、哮喘缓解组（缓解组,50例）和CVA组（40例）;同期正常健康体检儿童30例作为对照组。测定4组儿童用力肺活量(FVC)、一秒钟用力呼气容积(FEV1)、最大呼气峰流速(PEF)、用力呼气25%流速(FEF25)、用力呼气50%流速(FEF50)、用力呼气75%流速(FEF75)、最大呼气中期流速(MMEF75/25)等7项肺功能指标。结果：发作组患儿各项肺功能指标如大气道指标FVC、FEV1、PEF、FEF25及小气道指标FEF50、FEF75、MMEF75/25的实际值/预计值平均水平均<80%,且以FEF50、FEF75、MMEF75/25等小气道指标下降为著。CVA组患儿小气道指标FEF75、MMEF75/25实际值/预计值的平均水平<80%。发作组各项肺常规通气功能指标均低于对照组;缓解组、CVA组FVC、FEV1、FEF25及 MMEF75/25实际值/预计值的平均水平低于对照组;发作组各项肺功能指标均明显低于缓解组和CVA组;CVA组与缓解组各项肺功能指标差异均无统计学意义。结论：哮喘急性发作期患儿存在大小气道功能障碍,以小气道功能障碍为主;CVA患儿以小气道功能轻微障碍为主,与哮喘缓解期相似。     

常规肺通气功能检测在儿童哮喘评估中的应用

目的探讨哮喘病情与肺功能指标变化特点,为哮喘规范化治疗提供客观依据。方法采用肺功能测定系统对25例哮喘患儿于急性期、缓解期6个月及1年分别行常规肺通气功能测定,比较各期实测值与预计值比值之间的差异。结果哮喘患儿的症状与肺功能指标呈现出一致性,急性期大气道指标用力肺活量(FVC)、1秒钟用力呼气量(FEV1)、最大呼气峰流量(PEF)及75%、50%、25%肺活量时用力呼气流速(FEF25、50、75)、中段呼气流速(MMEF75/25)等实测值与预计值比值均降低,治疗6个月后FVC、FEV1等大气道功能指标基本恢复,1年后小气道功能指标FEF50、75及MMEF75/25等指标恢复。结论肺功能指标在哮喘的病情评估方面具有重要作用,对于哮喘治疗具有重要指导作用。     

以胸闷为主诉的不典型支气管哮喘患儿激发试验前后的肺功能特点

目的 了解以胸闷为主诉的不典型支气管哮喘患儿在支气管激发试验前后的肺功能特点。方法 选取2010 年1 月至2013 年12 月在我院肺功能室进行支气管激发试验的不典型哮喘患儿34 例为研究对象(不典型哮喘组),同期选取典型哮喘患儿34 例为对照,检测不典型哮喘组患儿支气管激发试验前后的肺功能,以及典型哮喘组患儿发作期和缓解期肺功能。结果 不典型哮喘组激发前肺功能指标用力肺活量(FVC)、第1 秒最大呼气量(FEV1)、FEV1/FVC、呼气峰流速(PEF)、用力呼气25 %、50 %、75%肺活量时的呼气峰流速(FEF25、FEF50、FEF75)、最大呼气中期流量(MMEF75/25)分别为105%±12%、104%±12%、100%±7%、88% ±13%、90% ±14%、81% ±17%、73% ±25%、80%±17%,明显高于典型哮喘组患儿发作期肺功能各指标(PP>0.05)。不典型哮喘组激发后肺功能各指标与典型哮喘组发作期相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但均低于典型哮喘组缓解期和不典型哮喘组激发前水平。结论 支气管激发试验有助于不典型哮喘患儿的诊断。     

布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂对中度支气管哮喘患儿小呼吸道功能的影响

目的 观察布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂治疗儿童中度支气管哮喘的疗效和不良反应及对小呼吸道功能的影响.方法 选取青岛大学医学院附属医院哮喘专家门诊初诊的中度支气管哮喘患儿40例,病例均未接受过正规吸入激素治疗.入院后给予布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂,每次1吸,每天2次,治疗12周.分别在治疗4周、8周、12周进行哮喘控制水平(控制、部分控制、未控制)评估,同时测定其肺功能,包括一秒钟用力呼气量(FEV1)占预计值百分比、最大呼气流量(PEF)占预计值百分比、25%用力呼气肺活量(FEF25)、50%用力呼气肺活量(FEF50)、75%用力呼气肺活量(FEF75),并观察不良反应发生情况.对治疗前后肺功能结果 进行比较,同时进行病情评估.结果 1.临床控制率:治疗12周,临床控制36例(90%),部分控制4例(10%),总有效率为100%.2.肺功能改善情况:在治疗4周,FEV1、PEF、FEF25、FEF50、FEF75均有显著改善,且在12周的随访过程中,上述指标得到持续改善.治疗12周FEF75、FEF50、FEF25均恢复到正常水平.结论 布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂治疗儿童中度支气管哮喘,对缓解症状和改善肺功能均有良好效果,尤其可有效改善哮喘患儿小呼吸道功能,从而达到哮喘临床控制或部分控制,且不良反应发生率低.     

哮喘儿童支气管舒张试验中大小气道功能指标变化对比研究

目的 探讨儿童哮喘发作时支气管舒张试验中大小气道功能指标变化的临床意义.方法 选择2012年10月至2014年4月哮喘初次发作患儿51例,采用Master Screen肺功能仪,在雾化吸入硫酸沙丁胺醇前、后进行肺功能检测;比较用力肺活量(FVC)、呼气峰流速(PEF)、1秒用力肺活量(FEV1)、1秒率(FEV1/FVC)、最大呼气中段流量(MMEF)、用力呼气流速(FEF)25、FEF50、FEF75的变化.结果 51例患儿的平均年龄(7.30±2.33)岁.患儿哮喘发作时支气管舒张试验总阳性率58.8%,并有随病情加重而升高的趋势;与舒张试验前比较,舒张试验后大小气道各指标的绝对值、占预计值百分比均明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.01);以代表大气道指标的FEV1改善率≥12%判定为舒张试验阳性,阳性率58.8%;以代表小气道指标的MMEF改善率≥25%判定为舒张试验阳性,阳性率70.6%,两者比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.214).结论 哮喘发作患儿FEV1基础值>70%亦可行支气管舒张实验,同时结合大、小气道指标以判断气道可逆性可以更全面反映哮喘的病情严重程度.     

节段性或大叶性肺炎支原体肺炎患儿的肺功能变化

目的探讨节段或大叶性肺炎支原体肺炎患儿肺功能的变化。方法检测159例节段或大叶性肺炎支原体肺炎患儿在急性期、恢复期的肺功能,并分析比较其变化。结果节段或大叶性肺炎支原体肺炎患儿急性期的1秒钟用力呼气容积(FEV1)、用力肺活量(FVC)、呼气峰流速(PEF)、25%用力肺活量时的用力呼气流量(FEF25)、50%用力肺活量时的用力呼气流量(FEF50)、75%用力肺活量时的用力呼气流量(FEF75)和最大呼气中期流速(FEF25-75)与预测值比较均明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);恢复期各项指标均明显上升,但代表小气道功能的指标FEF50、FEF75、FEF25-75与预测值差异仍有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论节段或大叶性肺炎支原体肺炎患儿,急性期时大、小气道均受损,恢复期时小气道损伤仍持续存在,定期随访肺功能有利于了解病情恢复情况及预后。     

肺功能检测在儿童哮喘诊治中的意义

目的探讨肺功能检测在儿童哮喘诊治中的指导意义。方法采用肺功能仪和Super-spiro软件分别测定哮喘儿急性发作期和缓解期的呼吸生理参数。结果发作期及缓解期大气道功能均以最大呼气流速峰值(PEF)敏感,小气道功能以用力呼气25%流速(FEF25)、用力呼气50%流速(FEF50)敏感,缓解期大部分患儿小气道功能仍有轻度损害。结论小气道功能在病情判定、疗效观察及随访中有重要意义。     

昆明市5~14岁儿童肺通气功能参数实测值与Zap

目的 研究昆明市5~14岁健康儿童肺通气功能主要参数实测值占Zapletal方程式预计值的百分比,为临床准确判断肺通气功能提供依据。方法 纳入昆明市5~14岁健康儿童702名,其中男352名,女350名。采用Jaeger肺功能仪测定用力肺活量（FVC）、第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、1秒率（FEV1/FVC）、最大中期呼气流量（MMEF）、用力呼气25%肺活量时瞬时流量（FEF25）、用力呼气50%肺活量时瞬时流量（FEF50）、用力呼气75%肺活量时瞬时流量（FEF75）、最高呼气流量（PEF）、每分钟最大通气量（MVV）,共9项指标,以肺功能仪中提供的Zalpetal预计值公式得出的数值作为所选择儿童的预计值,计算其实测值占预计值的百分比。结果 在702名儿童中,肺通气功能主要参数PEF、FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC、MVV实测值占预计值百分比的均值分别波动于102%~114%、94%~108%、98%~113%、98%~107%、141%~183%。气道流速指标功能参数FEF25、FEF50、FEF75、MMEF实测值占预计值百分比分别波动于98%~116%、85%~102%、71%~98%、83%~100%。各参数PEF、FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC、MVV、FEF25、FEF50、FEF75、MMEF实测值占Zapletal方程式预计值百分比的下限分别为88.2%、88.4%、92.0%、94.4%、118.5%、82.9%、70.0%、62.1%、70.1%。结论 昆明地区5~14岁健康儿童肺通气功能参数水平与Zapletal方程式提供的正常值存在一定差异;该地区此年龄段的健康儿童肺通气功能参数PEF、FVC、FEV、FEV1/FVC、MVV、FEF25、FEF50、FEF75、MMEF实测值占预计值百分比的正常参考值下限可考虑分别设为88.2%、88.4%、92.0%、94.4%、118.5%、82.9%、70.0%、62.1%、70.1%。     

昆明市5~14岁儿童肺通气功能参数实测值与Zap

目的 研究昆明市5~14岁健康儿童肺通气功能主要参数实测值占Zapletal方程式预计值的百分比,为临床准确判断肺通气功能提供依据。方法 纳入昆明市5~14岁健康儿童702名,其中男352名,女350名。采用Jaeger肺功能仪测定用力肺活量（FVC）、第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、1秒率（FEV1/FVC）、最大中期呼气流量（MMEF）、用力呼气25%肺活量时瞬时流量（FEF25）、用力呼气50%肺活量时瞬时流量（FEF50）、用力呼气75%肺活量时瞬时流量（FEF75）、最高呼气流量（PEF）、每分钟最大通气量（MVV）,共9项指标,以肺功能仪中提供的Zalpetal预计值公式得出的数值作为所选择儿童的预计值,计算其实测值占预计值的百分比。结果 在702名儿童中,肺通气功能主要参数PEF、FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC、MVV实测值占预计值百分比的均值分别波动于102%~114%、94%~108%、98%~113%、98%~107%、141%~183%。气道流速指标功能参数FEF25、FEF50、FEF75、MMEF实测值占预计值百分比分别波动于98%~116%、85%~102%、71%~98%、83%~100%。各参数PEF、FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC、MVV、FEF25、FEF50、FEF75、MMEF实测值占Zapletal方程式预计值百分比的下限分别为88.2%、88.4%、92.0%、94.4%、118.5%、82.9%、70.0%、62.1%、70.1%。结论 昆明地区5~14岁健康儿童肺通气功能参数水平与Zapletal方程式提供的正常值存在一定差异;该地区此年龄段的健康儿童肺通气功能参数PEF、FVC、FEV、FEV1/FVC、MVV、FEF25、FEF50、FEF75、MMEF实测值占预计值百分比的正常参考值下限可考虑分别设为88.2%、88.4%、92.0%、94.4%、118.5%、82.9%、70.0%、62.1%、70.1%。     

慢性咳嗽儿童140例肺功能的特点

目的分析慢性咳嗽儿童肺功能,探讨慢性咳嗽病因与咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)的相关性。方法慢性咳嗽患儿140例,根据第1s用力呼气容积(FEV1)或最大呼气流量(PEF)分成二组:运动试验组93例,舒张试验组47例。二组分别予运动和舒张试验。检测二组患儿肺功能,包括用力肺活量(FVC)、FEV1、PEF、用力呼吸50%及75%肺活量时瞬间流量(FEF50及FEF75)。结果运动试验组阳性30例,其FEV1及PEF变异率分别为(18.30±10.50)%及(18.78±9.44)%;舒张试验组阳性35例,FEV1及PEF变异率分别为(30.36±27.27)%及(36.13±26.83)%。结论FEV1、PEF可用于评价CVA儿童的呼吸道阻塞程度。肺功能可客观评价慢性咳嗽呼吸道反应性及炎性反应程度。     

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??Objective??To explore the correlation between FeNO levels and airway reversibility and its clinical significance in assessment of children with asthma. Methods??A total of 161 children at 5 to14 years old with asthma admitted to pediatric respiratory outpatient of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from November 2014 to November 2015 were divided into allergic group and non-allergic group according to the allergic condition. FeNO and bronchial dilatation tests were made in the two groups. The correlation between FeNO levels and improvement rate after bronchodilator in two groups was analyzed. Results????1??FeNO level in allergy group was obviously higher than that in non-allergic group??P??0.002??. ??2?? FeNO level of children in allergic group was positively correlated with improvent of bronchial improvement??P??0.05????and negatively correlated with FEV1%?? FEV1/FVC%?? FEF50%?? FEF25% and FEF75/25% of basic lung function??P??0.05????but was irrelevant to FVC%?? PEF% and FEF75% of basic lung function??P??0.05??.??3??FeNO level of children in non-allergic group was irrelevant to improvement rates of bronchial dilation and basic lung function??P??0.05??. Conclusion??For asthmatic children with allergic constitution??FeNO level is positively correlated with airway reversibility. It may be a good noninvasive predictor for evaluating asthma and airway reversibility in children with asthma. While for children without allergic constitution??FeNO level cannot indicate the airway reversibility effectively.     

5～14岁哮喘患儿呼出气一氧化氮检测与气道可逆性相关性研究

目的　探讨哮喘患儿呼出气一氧化氮（FeNO）水平与气道可逆性的相关性及其在哮喘患儿病情评估中的临床意义。方法　选取2014年11月至2015年11月于中国医科大学附属盛京医院小儿呼吸内科门诊就诊的5～14岁哮喘患儿161例,根据病情分为过敏组与非过敏组,2组均进行FeNO及支气管舒张试验测定,分析2组患儿FeNO水平与支气管舒张改善率的相关性。结果　（1）过敏组的哮喘患儿FeNO水平明显高于非过敏组（P＝0.002）。（2）过敏组的哮喘患儿FeNO水平与支气管舒张的改善率呈显著正相关（P＜0.05）,与基础肺功能1秒用力呼气容积占预计值的百分比（FEV1%）、1秒率占预计值的百分比（FEV1/FVC%）、50%用力呼气流速占预计值的百分比（FEF50%）、25%用力呼气流速占预计值的百分比（FEF25%）、中段呼气流速占预计值的百分比（FEF75/25%）呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与用力肺活量占预计值的百分比（FVC%）、用力呼气峰流速占预计值的百分比（PEF%）、75%用力呼气流速占预计值的百分比（FEF75%）无明显相关性（P＞0.05）;（3）非过敏组的哮喘患儿FeNO水平与支气管舒张改善率及基础肺功能均无明显相关性（P＞0.05）。结论　对于存在过敏体质的哮喘患儿,FeNO水平与气道可逆性存在显著正相关,可作为该类哮喘患儿预测气道可逆性及评估哮喘病情的一个良好的无创性指标。而对于无过敏体质的哮喘患儿,FeNO水平则不能有效反映其气道可逆性变化。     

Consistently high levels of exhaled nitric oxide in children with asthma

Background: Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels in children are unstable because they are regulated by many potent factors. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the reliability of eNO levels between a long interval and other lung functions in normal and asthmatic children. Methods: Eighty‐three elementary school children (aged 11–12 years; male : female, 39 : 44) participated in this study. Lung function, airway resistance and eNO levels were measured twice: the first measurement was in autumn 2007, and the second was one year later. Results: There were 62 non‐asthmatic control children (male : female, 31 : 31) and 21 asthmatic children (male : female, 8 : 13). In both the first and the second examination, the levels of eNO in children with asthma were higher than those in children without asthma. The parameters of lung function and the respiratory resistance in children without asthma showed a good correlation between the results of the first and second examinations. The eNO level in non‐asthmatic children showed a good correlation between the two. On the other hand, the peripheral airway parameters of lung function and the respiratory resistance in children with asthma were not correlated between the first and the second examinations. The eNO level in these patients was well correlated between the two examinations. Conclusions: These data suggest that the eNO level showed good reproducibility in children with and without asthma. The eNO level is therefore considered to be a useful marker for reproducibly evaluating a subject's airway condition.     

支气管哮喘患儿肺功能改变的特征

支气管哮喘患儿肺功能改变具有特征性,突出表现在气道反应性增高和阻塞性肺通气功能障碍两个方面,其通气功能障碍具有可逆性、可变性、多样性等,并可随着病情变化而改变.肺功能检测在哮喘诊断和管理中具有不可替代的作用,但哮喘患儿肺功能改变与临床症状并非完全平行,同时需要甄别非哮喘呼吸系统疾病导致的肺功能改变,正确解析检查结果,密...     

第1秒用力肺活量、用力肺活量及1秒率正常的支气管哮喘患儿支气管舒张试验结果分析

目的评估肺通气功能中第1秒用力肺活量(FEV₁)、用力肺活量(FVC)及1秒率(FEV₁/FVC)正常的支气管哮喘(哮喘)患儿支气管舒张试验(BDT)阳性率,提高对FEV₁、FVC及FEV₁/FVC正常的哮喘患儿完善BDT检查重要性的认识。方法选择2018年9月至2019年8月山东大学附属省立医院门诊诊断为哮喘的患儿,年龄5~14岁,可配合肺通气功能及BDT检查,收集FEV₁、FVC及FEV₁/FVC正常的患儿肺功能资料,统计BDT阳性率并分析小气道功能状况。结果共纳入FEV₁、FVC及FEV₁/FVC正常的患儿1 631例,其中肺通气功能正常1 414例,小气道功能障碍217例。吸入支气管扩张剂15 min后,BDT阳性哮喘患儿共127例,阳性率为7.8%;男87例,女40例,其中合并小气道功能障碍患儿BDT阳性62例,BDT阳性率为28.6%。FEV₁改善率在8.0%~11.9%有132例(8.1%)。用药前FEV₁占预计值的百分比为(98.5±10.3)%;吸入硫酸特布他林15 min后,改善率为13.5%(12.5%,16.2%)。用力呼出50%肺活量的瞬间呼气流量(FEF50)、用力呼出75%肺活量的瞬间呼气流量(FEF₇₅)、最大呼气中期流量(MMEF)改善率与其基础值呈负相关[FEF50(r=-0.339,P<0.01)、FEF₇₅(r=-0.400,P<0.01)、MMEF(r=-0.375,P<0.01)];FEV₁改善率与FEV₁基础值无显著相关(r=-0.128,P=0.153),FEV₁改善率与MMEF基础值呈负相关(r=-0.231,P<0.01)。结论有部分哮喘患儿在FEV₁、FVC及FEV₁/FVC正常范围时BDT阳性。建议对症状典型或不典型哮喘患儿在诊断及随访时尽可能完善BDT检查,以明确诊断以及获取当前个人最佳值,同时结合小气道功能有助于全面评估哮喘病情及控制情况。     

Prevalence and reversibility of lower airway obstruction in children with sickle cell disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and reversibility of lower airway obstruction (LAO) in children and adolescents with hemoglobin SS sickle cell disease (HbSS SCD). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of lung function in a cross-section of 35 African American and 28 Hispanic children and adolescents with HbSS SCD. Lung function was evaluated with maximal respiratory flow-volume curves and body plethysmography. Each patient was assigned to 1 of 3 patterns of lung function (normal, obstructive, or restrictive). Airway hyperresponsiveness was assessed by means of a trial with bronchodilator. RESULTS: Normal pattern was detected in 57% of the patients, LAO in 35%, and restrictive lung disease in 8%. Positive response to bronchodilator was documented in 30% of those with normal pattern of lung function, 78% in those with LAO, and 67% of those with restrictive lung disease. The pattern of lung function was not associated with race or with history of vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, reactive airways disease/asthma, or long-term transfusion therapy. CONCLUSION: Obstructive lung disease possibly precedes the development of restrictive lung disease, and airway reactivity may be part of the pathogenic mechanism.     

Age-related changes in the asthmatic phenotype in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the changes in the asthma phenotype as children progress from childhood into young adulthood. RECENT FINDINGS: Some children with asthma in the early school years improve symptomatically during adolescence and young adulthood, with less frequent remissions and increased relapse rates in those with severe symptoms. During remission of symptoms, lung function abnormalities, airway hyper-responsiveness, and airway inflammation often persist. New data from the Childhood Asthma Management Program cohort show progression of lung function abnormalities during adolescence. SUMMARY: Most children with persistent asthma have persistent disease as adults, and lung function abnormalities continue to progress as these children age.     

不同给药方法对潮气肺功能支气管舒张试验结果的影响观察

目的　探讨影响潮气肺功能支气管舒张试验参数改善的因素,为婴幼儿哮喘的诊断提供参考依据。方法　选择2017年3月至2018年6月就诊于首都儿科研究所哮喘门诊、经临床明确诊断为支气管哮喘且处于急性发作期（喘息发作≤7 d）的71例婴幼儿,将患儿依就诊顺序分为气雾剂组20例及雾化组51例,前者采用定量气雾剂给予支气管舒张剂,后者采用雾化吸入给予支气管舒张剂。2组患儿均进行潮气肺功能支气管舒张试验,比较两种给药方式对支气管舒张试验结果的影响,主要观察参数包括呼吸频率、潮气量、吸气时间、呼气时间、吸呼比、达峰时间比、达峰容积比、呼气峰流量;随后进行组内分析,进一步探讨各参数改善率的影响因素。结果　给药后,气雾剂组患儿呼吸频率显著下降（P＝0.003）,吸气时间显著延长（P＝0.011）;雾化组患儿潮气量、吸气时间、吸呼比、达峰时间比、达峰容积比显著上升（均P＜0.05）。雾化组患儿吸呼比、达峰容积比上升幅度显著高于气雾剂组（均P＜0.05）。气雾剂组内,与气道轻度阻塞患儿比较,气道重度阻塞患儿给药后,吸呼比、达峰时间比、达峰容积比改善显著（均P＜0.05）;雾化组内,气道重度阻塞患儿给药后,以上参数亦明显改善。雾化组不同年龄组间比较,2岁以上患儿达峰时间比、达峰容积比上升幅度显著高于1岁以下患儿（均P＜0.05）。结论　通过潮气肺功能技术进行支气管舒张试验,雾化吸入给药方式的舒张效果优于定量气雾剂;给药后肺功能参数的改善与气道阻塞程度有关,也与患儿年龄有关。     

Is bronchodilator response in 2‐yr‐old children associated with asthma risk factors?

Factors that might influence lung function bronchodilator response by 2 yr of age is largely unknown, thus we aimed to assess this in the 'Environment and Childhood asthma' (ECA) study in Oslo. A clinical investigation at mean age 26 months was attended by 516 (84%) children included in a nested case-control study [children with recurrent bronchial obstruction (rBO)] (n = 265) and controls without a history of lower respiratory disease (n = 251). Tidal lung function measures before and after inhaled nebulized salbutamol (bronchodilator response) (when clinically without BO) were obtained in 46%. Clinical characteristics and personal and family history of allergic/respiratory diseases (asthma risk factors) were ascertained by structured interview and clinical examination. Allergic sensitization was assessed by skin prick test/specific IgE antibody analyses to common allergens. Mean (95% CI) per cent change in time to reach peak flow/total expiratory time (t(PTEF)/t(E)) from before to after salbutamol was significantly larger in children with rBO [17.3 (9.4-25.3) than controls (-2.2 (-7.7 to 3.0)]. The bronchodilator response increased significantly (p = 0.001) with increasing number of asthma risk factors, but was not significantly associated with allergic sensitization, parental 'atopy', or maternal smoking alone. Children treated with inhaled corticosteroids had greater bronchodilator response than those treated with bronchodilators alone. Bronchodilator response in asymptomatic 2-yr-old children was most closely associated with the presence of rBO, but increasing number of asthma risk factors and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids were associated with increased bronchodilator response.     

Plethysmographic lung volumes in children with sighing dyspnea

Background: This study compared the plethysmographic lung volumes of children with sighing dyspnea with healthy children and tested the hypothesis that sighing children suffer from hyperinflation or gas trapping as a cause of dyspnea. Methods: From January 2006 to December 2006, pediatric patients with sighing dyspnea presenting to the pulmonary clinic of a tertiary children’s hospital who had no apparent cardiopulmonary diseases were prospectively enrolled; normal healthy children were invited to participate for comparison. Baseline pre‐bronchodilator spirometry and post‐inhaled bronchodilator spirometry were measured for the determination of bronchodilator response. Plethysmographic lung volumes were determined solely for total lung capacity, residual volume (RV) and functional residual capacity (FRC) without the use of inhaled bronchodilator according to standard procedure. Results: Eighteen sighing children (10 boys) and 10 healthy subjects (six boys) were included in the present study. They had a median age of 13 years (range, 8–15 years) and 13 years (range, 8–17 years), respectively. The mean baseline forced vital capacity (FVC) of subjects with dyspnea was 79.4 ± 16.7% of predicted, while that of the normal control children was 88.4 ± 6.7%, which was not statistically significantly different. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC % of predicted were within normal limits and indicated no bronchodilator response. RV and RV/total lung capacity (TLC) were elevated in children with sighing dyspnea that were not measured by spirometry, but TLC and FRC measured on plethysmography (FRC_pleth) were not increased. Conclusions: RV and RV/TLC were higher in children with sighing dyspnea that were not measured by spirometry, but TLC and FRC_pleth were not increased. The causal link between dysfunctional breathing patterns and changes in static lung volumes was not able to be determined in the present study. The possibility of heterogeneity of patients with sighing dyspnea obscures the significance of lung volume discrepancy in this population; further subdivision of children with sighing dyspnea in a larger cohort of patients is required.