Relationships between diaphragm ultrasound, spirometry, and respiratory mouth pressures in children

Diaphragm ultrasound (DUS) is a noninvasive method of evaluating the diaphragm's structure and function. This study explored the relationships between DUS, spirometry, and respiratory mouth pressures in 10 healthy children (median age: 11 [range: 7-14 years]; 5 females, 5 males). Thickening fraction correlated with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) (Spearman's rho [r(s)] = 0.64, p = 0.05). During quiet breaths, excursion time correlated with MIP (r(s) = 0.78, p = 0.01) while velocity correlated with maximal expiratory pressure (r(s) = -0.82, p = 0.01). During deep breaths, MIP correlated with excursion (r(s) = 0.64, p = 0.05) and time (r(s) = 0.87, p = 0.01). Excursion time during deep breaths also correlated with forced vital capacity (r(s) = 0.65, p = 0.04). Our findings suggest that DUS parameters are closely related to spirometry and respiratory mouth pressures in healthy children and further support the use of DUS as a noninvasive method of respiratory assessment.

Automated summary

This study explored the relationships between diaphragm ultrasound (DUS), spirometry, and respiratory mouth pressures in healthy children. The findings suggest that DUS parameters are closely related to spirometry and respiratory mouth pressures, supporting the use of DUS as a noninvasive method of respiratory assessment.