Intra-breath oscillometry for the evaluation of lung function in children and adolescents with a history of preterm birth

Abstract

Objective: To assess respiratory system impedance (Zrs) and spirometric parameters in children and adolescents with and without a history of preterm birth. Methods: We evaluated a sample of 51 subjects between 11 and 14 years of age: 35 who had a history of preterm birth (preterm group) and 16 who had been born at term (full-term group). Lung function was measured by spirometry, spectral oscillometry, and intra-breath oscillometry. Results: Neither spirometry nor spectral oscillometry revealed any statistically significant differences between the preterm and full-term groups. However, intra-breath oscillometry demonstrated significant differences between the two groups in terms of the change in resistance, reactance at end-inspiration, and the change in reactance (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that abnormalities in Zrs persist in children and adolescents with a history of preterm birth and that intra-breath oscillometry is more sensitive than is spectral oscillometry. Larger studies are needed in order to validate these findings and to explore the impact that birth weight and gestational age at birth have on Zrs later in life.

Understanding the fundamentals of oscillometry from a strip of lung tissue

“…Secondly, oscillometry provides topographical information, in particular to the respective contribution of large versus small airways in lung dysfunction ( Hantos et al, 1992 ; Suki et al, 1997 ; Takeda et al, 2010 ; Shi et al, 2012 ; Berger et al, 2016 ; Chiu et al, 2020 ; Bhatawadekar et al, 2021 ; Pisi et al, 2021 ). Finally, many even propose that oscillometry provides complementary insights to spirometry to predict and diagnose patients with various respiratory disorders ( Goldman et al, 2002 ; Shi et al, 2012 ; Kelly et al, 2013 ; Shi et al, 2013 ; Berger et al, 2016 ; Jabbal et al, 2016 ; Karayama et al, 2018 ; Bellisario et al, 2019 ; Chiu et al, 2020 ; Salvi et al, 2020 ; Chaiwong et al, 2021 ; Chiabai et al, 2021 ; Pisi et al, 2021 ; Accorsi et al, 2022 ; Takahashi et al, 2022 ). Despite all these assets, the current rate of implementation of oscillometry in respiratory medicine is rather slow.…”