Persistent abnormal lung function after childhood empyema.

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 a 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.