Introduction: In view of the difficulties and risks of performing lung function tests in infants and the hypothesis that children with abnormal pulmonary test may exhibit thoracic musculoskeletal alterations.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the frequency of abnormal lung function and their relationship.
Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study with children from 6 to 12 months of corrected age, born at a gestational age of <37 weeks and with a birthweight ≤1500 g, who were subjected to a lung function test and photogrammetry--an objective and non-invasive procedure. To verify the association between the thoracic musculoskeletal abnormalities and measure changes in lung function, univariate linear regression was used. The level of statistical significance was setted at P < 0.05.
Results: Of the 38 infants, 12 (31.6%) exhibited abnormal lung function, including 9 (23.7%) with obstructive function and 3 (7.9%) with restrictive function. A significant association was noted between forced expiratory volume at 0.5 second <-2 z score and the acromion/xiphoid process/acromion angle (β = 4.935); forced vital capacity <-2 z score and the angle of the manubrium/left acromion/trapezium (β = 0.033) and forced expiratory volume at 0.5 second and forced vital capacity ratio <-2 z score and the inframammillary point/xiphoid process/inframammillary point angle (β = 0.043).
Conclusion: Preterm infants with very low birthweight presented a high frequency of abnormal lung function, particularly obstructive type and thoracic musculoskeletal abnormalities were associated with changes in lung function.
Keywords: child; infant pulmonary function testing; photogrammetry; premature; rehabilitation.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.