engleski

Elevation of diffusing lung capacity (TLCO) in asthmatic children as a result of ventilation/perfusion disorder

Aims: To determine the disorder of ventilation/perfusion in children with mild and moderate asthma. Subjects and methods: In the prospective study (1996-2002) we followed up 298 children, aged 10.7±3 years, 81 healthy (Control) and 217 children with mild and moderate asthma. 121 were treated with inhaled steroid (fluticasone propionate 100–200 mcg daily), 31 with salbutamol (100 mcg daily as needed) and 65 with ketotifen (2 mg daily). During treatment we measured: diffusing lung capacity (TLCO, single breath method with carbon monoxide), alveolar volume (VA) and transfer coefficient (KCO). Results: Children with asthma had significantly higher TLCO (p<0.0001), VA (p=0.005) and KCO (p<0.0001) at the beginning of the treatment, which normalized during the treatment and after bronchodilatation (salbutamol) test. Apart from reversibility of inflammatory changes and their good response to bronchodilatation therapy, it shows the disorder of ventilation/perfusion in children with mild and moderate asthma. Conclusion: Due to the ventilation/perfusion disorder in children with mild and moderate asthma, the rest of alveolar-cappilary units are included, which results in elevation of TLCO. Good response to bronchodilatation therapy and inhaled steroid treatment confirms the reversibility of inflammatory changes.

diffusing lung capacity; ventilation/perfusion; asthma; children

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