Series "standards for Infant Respiratory Function Testing: Ers/ats

The bias flow nitrogen washout technique for measuring the functional residual capacity in infants. M.G. Morris, P. Gustafsson, R. Tepper, M. Gappa, J. Stocks, on behalf of the ERS/ATS Task Force on Standards for Infant Respiratory Function Testing. #ERS Journals Ltd 2001. ABSTRACT: The functional residual capacity (FRC) is the most commonly measured static lung volume in infants. It is important for interpreting volume-dependent pulmonary mechanics, e.g. airway resistance, and defining normal lung growth. The bias flow nitrogen washout technique is widely used for measuring FRC because the dead space and circuit resistance are low, making it suitable for small or sick infants. Moreover, data acquisition and calculation are easily programmed for a personal computer. The aim of this paper is to provide recommendations pertaining to equipment requirements, study procedures and reporting of data for functional residual capacity measurements. While measuring the functional residual capacity is regarded as physiologically and clinically important, the accuracy of the measurement is undoubtedly equally important. Hence, the paper also emphasizes factors influencing the accuracy of functional residual capacity measurements independent of equipment requirements. These recommendations represent the "State of the Art" in 2000. Eur Respir J 2001; 17: 529–536. *Section of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, AR, USA, Dept of Paediatrics, Central Hospital Skövde, Sweden, }Section of Pediatric Pulmonology, Indiana University Medical Centre, James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Hospital for Children Indianapolis, IN, USA, z University Children9s Hospital, Dept of Paediatric Pulmonology and Neonatology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30623 Hannover, Germany and § Portex Anaesthesia, Intensive Therapy and Respiratory Medicine Unit, Institute of Child Health London, UK.