Study of the acoustic breathing pattern in children with bronchial asthma using a Respiratory Sound Recorder

Background. The study of external respiration function using spirometry in young children is associated with certain difficulties during the procedure. The respiratory sound recorder is a modern device with which you can evaluate the acoustic breathing pattern during inhalation and exhalation during quiet breathing. Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of computer bronchophonography indicators in children with asthma and in children in the control group without respiratory pathology using a respiratory sound recorder. Materials and methods. External respiration function was assessed using computer bronchophonography using a respiratory sound recorder; 215 practically healthy children from 1 to 18 years old, who formed the control group, were examined. The main group of those examined included children with moderate (n=80) and severe bronchial asthma (n=40), of which (n=54) patients were examined in exacerbation. Results. In all patients with asthma in the main group with exacerbation, the acoustic component of work of breathing (ACWP) was significantly higher than in the control group. Differences were detected in the low-frequency P1, mid-frequency P2 and high-frequency range P3 (p0.05). When comparing ACRD in patients with asthma with exacerbation and remission, a statistically significant difference was revealed in all frequency ranges (p0.005). When analyzing the duration of inhalation and exhalation in healthy children of different ages, no statistically significant difference was revealed. In patients with exacerbated asthma, inhalation and exhalation were significantly longer than in a healthy child (p0.005). Conclusion. Our study shows that a respiratory sound recorder can be effectively used to diagnose bronchial obstruction disorders in children of different ages.