Pulmonary Function Test in Korean Neonates by Expiratory Flow-Volume Curve

Park, So Young; Kim, Kyung Hyo; Kim, Gyoung Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE: Neonatal pulmonary function test(PFT) adds a new dimension to the understanding and care of the infant at risk for lung dysfunction. PFT can be identified the risk for pulmonary problems and safely and effectively diagnosed, quantified, and qualified the dysfunction. So it is possible to early institution of prophylatic respiratory therapy in such neonates and it can improved the dysfunction or reduce the incidence of both acute aand chronic complications. The purpose of this present study was to get the normal values of pulmonary function test in normal neonates
METHODS
We evaluated 332 normal neonates at Ewha Womans University Hospital from Feb. 1994 to Oct. 1994. We performed PFT by tidal breathing flow-volume loop and non-invasive passive expiratory flow-volume technique.
RESULTS
1) The mean respiratory rate was 51.0+/-12.0/min and tidal volume 7.4+/-2.9 ml/kg. 2) In the tidal breathing pattern, %V PTEF was 0.42+/-0.17, PTEF/TV 2.36+/-0.76, TEF25/PTEF 0.80+/-0.10 and ME/MI 0.89+/-0.25, and the shape of loop was oval. 3) The mean respiratory system compliance by passive expiratory flow-volume technique in normal neonates was 1.52+/-0.93ml/cmH2O/kg and resistance 0.052+/-0.039 cmH2O/ml/sec. 4) The values of PFT were not different according to sex or postnatal age(p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The measured values of pulmonary function test in normal neonates could be used in the future as reference values of pulmonary function in neonates with variable respiratory diseases, and could be aid in understanding the respiratory physiology and pathology of neonates through companing the measured values of pulmonary function by other method.