National multi-centre study found a low prevalence of severely impaired lung function in children and adolescents

Aim As no data to our knowledge exist, the aim of the study was to describe the national prevalence and characteristics of Danish children and adolescents with severely impaired lung function. Methods We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional Danish multi-centre study. Children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years old demonstrating severely impaired lung function from 2015 to 2018, defined by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <60% or who had lung transplantation, were eligible for inclusion. Results This study included 113 children with a mean age (standard deviation) of 12.9 years (3.5 years). The prevalence of severely impaired lung function was approximately 13 in 100,000. The mean (standard deviation) FEV1 was 46.1% (10.1%) of predicted, and z-score was -4.5 (0.8). The most frequent diagnosis was cystic fibrosis (20.4%), followed by asthma (19.5%) and bronchiolitis obliterans (16.8%), while almost 25% had different elements of airway malformations or non-pulmonary conditions. Two adolescents with cystic fibrosis underwent lung transplantation. Conclusion The estimated prevalence of severely impaired lung function in Danish children and adolescents was low, and extremely, few children underwent lung transplantation. The most frequent diagnosis was cystic fibrosis, while almost 25% had different elements of airway malformations or non-pulmonary conditions, which may require clinical attention.

Automated summary

This study describes the national prevalence and characteristics of Danish children and adolescents with severely impaired lung function. The prevalence was found to be low, with cystic fibrosis being the most common diagnosis. Additionally, about 25% of the patients had elements of airway malformations or non-pulmonary conditions, which require clinical attention.