Introduction: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing represents the diagnostic tool for determining cardiopulmonary function. Especially in small children, exercise testing is extremely challenging. To address this problem, field testing has been implemented using small mobile devices. This study aims at using this protocol for developing normal values for cardiopulmonary exercise testing in very young children. Material and methods: Healthy children aged 4–8 years were recruited. All children were tested according to an outdoor protocol, in which they were instructed to walk, then run slowly, then a little harder and at last run at full speed. Each step lasted for 2 minutes, except the last step, in which the children were instructed to maintain as long as possible. Results: A total of 104 children (64 female/35 male, mean age 6.6 years) performed outdoor cardiopulmonary exercise testing using a mobile device. Almost all tests were completed successfully (95%). Despite a predominance of female study subjects, anthropometric values did not differ between boys and girls. V̇O2peak/kg, respiratory exchange ratio, VT1, heart rate at VT1, and time of exercise were also comparable between sexes. Generally, a tendency of higher maximal oxygen uptake could be observed in older children. Conclusion: Open field mobile cardiopulmonary exercise testing represents a novel approach in very young children. In this study, we were able to determine normal values of maximal oxygen uptake and OUES/kg for 4–8-year-old children. The method is easy to achieve and safe.
Pulmonary function is reduced in children after preterm birth. The variety of subgroups ranges from early to late preterm births. Limitations in pulmonary function can be observed even after late preterm birth without signs of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and/or history of mechanical ventilation. Whether this reduction in lung function is reflected in the cardiopulmonary capacity of these children is unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of moderate to late premature birth on cardiopulmonary function. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill was performed by 33 former preterm infants between 8 and 10 years of age who were born between 32 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation and compared with a control group of 19 children born in term of comparable age and sex. The former preterm children achieved comparable results to the term-born controls with respect to most of the cardiopulmonary exercise parameters $$(\dot{V}O_2peak 43.9\pm6.6\frac{\frac{ml}{kg}}{min}\min vs.41.9\pm8.8\frac{ml}{kg}/\min)$$ ( V ˙ O 2 p e a k 43.9 ± 6.6 ml kg min min v s . 41.9 ± 8.8 ml kg / min ) . The only differences were in a slightly higher oxygen uptake efficiency slope $$(OUES\;of\;1.6\;\pm0.4\;vs\;1.4\;\pm\;0.4)$$ ( O U E S o f 1.6 ± 0.4 v s 1.4 ± 0.4 ) and higher peak minute ventilation $$\dot VEpeak\;of\;55.2\pm 11.3 ml/min\;vs.\;49.1\;ml\;\pm\;8.8/min)$$ V ˙ E p e a k o f 55.2 ± 11.3 m l / m i n v s . 49.1 m l ± 8.8 / m i n ) in the group of children born preterm. With respect to heart rate recovery $$(-35.3\;\pm\;13.8\;bpm\;vs.\;-37.2\;bpm\;\pm\;14.0\;after\;1\;min)$$ ( - 35.3 ± 13.8 b p m v s . - 37.2 b p m ± 14.0 a f t e r 1 m i n ) and breathing efficiency $$\dot{(V}E/\dot VCO_2\;of\;35.9\;\pm\;4.1\;vs\;34.0\;\pm4.6)$$ ( V ˙ E / V ˙ C O 2 o f 35.9 ± 4.1 v s 34.0 ± 4.6 ) , there were no significant differences.Conclusion: Children born preterm did not show limitations in cardiopulmonary function in comparison with matched controls. What is Known:• Preterm birth is associated with reduced pulmonary function in later life, this is also true for former late preterms.• As a consequence of being born premature, the lungs have not finished their important embryological development. Cardiopulmonary fitness is an important parameter for overall mortality and morbidity in children and adults and a good pulmonary function is therefore paramount. What is New:• Children born prematurely were comparable to an age- and sex-matched control group with regards to almost all cardiopulmonary exercise variables.• A significantly higher OUES, a surrogate parameter for VO2peak was found for the group of former preterm children, most likely reflecting on more physical exercise in this group. Importantly, there were no signs of impaired cardiopulmonary function in the group of former preterm children.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.