Abstract
The performance of flow-volume (FV) curves in infants is usually associated with considerable expense, in order to achieve a controlled forced expiration. The inspiratory portion of FV curves is usually neglected.
In our lung function laboratory FV curves were recorded in slightly sedated infants during spontaneous breathing. Furthermore, FV curves were recorded immediately after a short artificial interruption of breathing, at the end of inspiration, resp. expiration. In addition, body plethysmography was done.
The findings were compared with the results of clinical and - in 18 cases - endoscopical examinations.
Tests in 108 infants with and without cardiorespiratory disease showed that the configuration of FV curves allows conclusions on the kind and extent of airways obstruction similar to those in adults: Distinct limitation of inspiratory flow is caused by an extrathoracic stenosis; a low expiratory flow with a very strict linear or a curvilinear course suggests an intrathoracic impairment of airways.
The sensitivity in the diagnosis of an airways obstruction is inferior to that of body plethymography. Specifity is high, if the results are compared with clinical and endoscopical findings.
Thus, valuable information on ventilation is obtained by means of a simple method.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lindemann, H., Bauer, J. THE DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OP PARTIAL FLOW-VOLUME CURVES IN INFANTS WITH AIRWAYS OBSTRUCTION. Pediatr Res 19, 1094 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00151
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00151