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Persistent Abnormal Lung Function After Childhood Empyema

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
American Journal of Respiratory Medicine

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine pulmonary function tests in children at various time points in their recovery from empyema.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Academic Children’s Hospital.

Patients: Pediatric patients with a diagnosis of empyema between 1992–2000.

Results: A total of 45 pulmonary function tests were carried out in 36 study participants. Within 3 months of hospital discharge, 91% of pulmonary function tests demonstrated a restrictive pattern with a mean forced vital capacity (FVC) of 69.2 ± 4% and a mean total lung capacity (TLC) of 74.9 ± 4% of predicted. The incidence of restriction in pulmonary function significantly decreased over time and for patients tested >1 year from hospital discharge the mean FVC was 87.1 ± 2% and the mean TLC 95.0 ± 2% of predicted. However, 19% of the patients tested >1 year from discharge demonstrated a mild restrictive pattern and 16% demonstrated mild obstructive changes. Patients with abnormal lung function >1 year from hospital discharge did not demonstrate any signs or symptoms of respiratory insufficiency.

Conclusion: There is a high incidence of restrictive patterns in lung function for children tested within 3 months from hospital discharge for empyema. The incidence of restrictive patterns decreased significantly over time and most patients tested >1 year from hospital discharge demonstrated normal lung function.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Robert Wilmott for helpful advice and critical reading of the manuscript. This study was supported by Children’s Hospital Medical Center Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Gary L. Kohn, Cathy Walston, Julie Feldstein & William D. Hardie

  2. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Brad W. Warner

  3. Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Paul Succop

Authors
  1. Gary L. Kohn
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  2. Cathy Walston
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  3. Julie Feldstein
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  4. Brad W. Warner
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  5. Paul Succop
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  6. William D. Hardie
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gary L. Kohn.

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Kohn, G.L., Walston, C., Feldstein, J. et al. Persistent Abnormal Lung Function After Childhood Empyema. Am J Respir Med 1, 441–445 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03257171

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