Infant Pulmonary Function Tests (IPFT)
Parenchymal and airway function were assessed using previously described
methods [15, 16]. In brief, infants were first sedated with oral
chloral hydrate (85 mg/kg) and measurements of the alveolar volume (VA)
and diffusion capacity of the lung to carbon monoxide (DLCO) were
performed. In addition, forced expiratory flows (FEFs) using the raised
volume rapid thoraco-abdominal compression technique were measured and
quantified by forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flows
between 25% and 75% expired FVC (FEF25-75), forced expired flow at
50% and 75% expired FVC (FEF50, FEF75), as well as forced expired
volume in 0.5 seconds (FEV0.5). Data quality was determined using
published guidelines [17], and only research quality data were used
for analysis.