Respiratory Sound Recorder for Computer Analysis of Breathing Patterns in Children

Aim: To evaluate the reference/normal breathing parameters in healthy children aged 6 to 18 years using a respiratory sound recorder. Design: Prospective, open-label, non-randomized clinical trial. Materials and methods. The function of external respiration was assessed in practically healthy children without respiratory pathology using a respiratory sound recorder. 165 practically healthy children from 6 to 18 years old were examined. Mean age — 11.4 ± 1.9 years, of which 86 (52%) boys and 79 (48%) girls. The indicators of the acoustic component of the work of breathing in the low-frequency P1 (200–1200 Hz), mid-frequency P2 (> 1200–5000 Hz) and high-frequency P3 (> 5000 Hz) ranges and the total acoustic work of breathing (P total on inhalation and exhalation) were determined. Results. When examining children, data were obtained for the acoustic component of the work of breathing on inspiration for the low-frequency range — 16.1 (9.8; 20.4) milliPascal (mPa), the mid-frequency range — 5.84 (4.1; 9.4) mPa and the high-frequency range — 2.26 (1.3; 2.5) mPa, on exhalation — 23.9 (16.2; 30.1), 8.35 (5.6; 12.2) and 2.57 (2.0; 3.3) mPa, respectively. In the study of the general acoustic component of the work of breathing, the following values were obtained: on inhalation P total — 23.8 (16.5; 32.8) mPa, on exhalation — 35.6 (24.5; 47.6) mPa. There were no statistically significant gender differences and differences between children of different ages (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The respiratory sound recorder — is a promising device that can be used to diagnose various respiratory pathologies in children of all age groups. Keywords: respiratory sound recorder, computer bronchophonography, respiratory sounds, children.