Function of peripheral airways in children and adolescents with deformities of the anterior chest wall

Body-plethysmography and spirometric test were carried out in two groups of 33 children aged 7-16. Examined group consisted of 11 children with deformities of rib chest wall, and control group consisted of 22 healthy children. Pulmonary function test were performed in all subjects. They comprised spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1, ITGV, RV, TLC) flow-volume curve parameters (PEF, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75) and airway resistance R(aw). Values of FEV1, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75 PEF and MMEF were significantly lower in the tested group than in the control group. In children with deformities of rib chest wall values of airway resistance were significantly higher, R(aw)--268%N, than in healthy children, R(aw)--188.5%N (p < 0.01).