Source: Annual Congress 2002 - Bridging the gap - lung function from infancy through childhood
Disease area: Paediatric lung diseases

Abstract

Measurement of FRC is important for interpretation of volume dependent lung function parameters and for monitoring lung growth and development. Methods to assess FRC in infants and young children include the open-circuit multiple breath nitrogen washout technique (MBNW) and inert gas multiple breath washout techniques using a mass spectrometer. Recently, a mainstream ultrasonic flowmeter (Spiroson) has been developed, which measures flow and molecular mass, enabling assessment of FRC using a SF6 multiple breath washin/washout technique.
The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate measurement of FRC-SF6 using the Spiroson for SF6 MBW and compare the results to measurement of FRC-N2 using a MBNW technique (Sensormedics 2600).
Comparative measurements were performed in 11 infants and young children (diagnosis included CF and BPD) with a mean (range) age of 57.5 (2.0 - 133) weeks and a weight of 8.85 (4.04 - 12.87) kg. All measurements were performed in quiet sleep, the order of measurement being randomized.
Mean (range) FRC-SF6 from 3 measurements was 174.1 (78.5 - 322.0) mL, the mean (SD) coefficient of variation (CV%) was 2.45 (1.65); mean FRC-N2 was 187.5 (88.9-351.8) with a CV% of 2.65 (2.17). There was good agreement between the techniques with a mean difference of -3.88 mL (95% CI -17.5;9.8, p=0.536).
Assessment of FRC-SF6 using the ultrasonic flowmeter was feasible, highly reproducible, and in good agreement with a conventional MBNW technique. As the ultrasonic technique offers assessment of ventilation homogeneity at the same time, it may be preferable over this MBNW technique.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
S. Fuchs, M. Gappa (Hannover, Germany). Measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC) in infants and young children using an ultrasonic flowmeter for SF6 multiple breath washing/washout. Eur Respir J 2002; 20: Suppl. 38, 252

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