thesis
Lung function and bronchial responsiveness in preschool children
- Publication date
- 23 October 1985
- Publisher
- It is hypothesized that childhood asthma, especially when not well controlled,
may constitute a risk factor for the development of COLD in adulthood
(Cropp, 1985), It is unknown whether lung injury during early life is a risk factor
for the development of COLD in adulthood, Asthma often starts before schoolage
(Cropp, 1985), Except for the disturbing symptoms, a reason for paying attention to asthma in preschool children is the hypothesis that adequate intervention
may reduce the risk of COLD in adult life (Kerrebijn, 1982). To detect lung
function abnormalities at as young as possible ages suitable methods should be
available. Most lung function methods can only be performed in children over 6
years of age.
Lung function was measured with the forced pseudo-random noise oscillation
technique (FOT) (Uindser et al., 1976a) because only passive cooperation
is needed. Resistance (R,) and reactance (X,) of the respiratory system are
simultaneously measured over a frequency spectrum of 2 to 26 Hz. R, is mainly
determined by the patency of the upper and large airways. X, is influenced by
mass-inertial and elastic properties of the respiratory system.
The applicability ofFOT in preschool children was investigated. The method
is now suitable for use in clinical practice to measure lung function and BR in
children from about 2lfz years of age.
We measured airway patency, bronchial smooth muscle tone and BR in
preschool asthmatic children. Secondly, we investigated whether lung injury during
early influences the development of lung function and bronchial responsiveness
in children who do not have a genetic predisposition of asthma.
This was investigated in children who had infant bronchiolitis, in subjects
who survived infant bronchopulmonary dysplasia after neonatal respiratory distress
syndrome and in individuals who experienced a near-drowning accident.
The results are compared to data found in healthy controls.