ABSTRACT
Background:Chronic mouth breathing in children leads to pathological adaptations in the postural and morphological characteristics of the stomato-gnathic system. Such unfavourable developmental changes predispose the child to many problems, including obstructive sleep apnea, which is now a growing public concern. Hence; we planned the present study to assess breathing pattern among mouth breather child. Methods: 30 children were selcted, 15 of which were mouth breathers (MB) and 15 of which were nose breathers (NB). The age of the patients ranged from 8-10 years. In this study, the following variables of the respiratory cycle were analyzed by the plethysmography: tidal volume (Vt), respiratory frequency ( f ), minute ventilation (VE), ratio of time to peak inspiratory flow to inspiratory time (PifT/Ti), mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti), rib cage contribution towards Vt(%RC/Vt), and phase angle (PhAng). Results: A total of 10 subjects were present in both the groups each. The mean age of subjects on group MB was 8.89 years and in group NB was 9.11 years. Number of male patients in group MB was 6 and in group NB was 5. The variables in MB and NB groups were comparable and statistically non-significant. Conclusion: From the results of the present study, this can be concluded that there was no significant difference in the breathing pattern between nose breathers and mouth breather children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity and body fat distribution are important predictors of coronary heart disease. Pulmonary function tests are usually carried out for assessing the functional impairments and to make diagnosis. Hence; we planned the present study to evaluation of association of anthropometric indices related to obesity with pulmonary function tests in female medical students. Methods: The present investigation included assessment of association of Anthropometric Indices Related to Obesity with Pulmonary Function Tests in Female Medical Students. Total of 150 female medical students were included in the present study. Measurement of the height, hip circumference, and weight of all the subjects was done. Waist circumference was measured and value of equal to or less than 80 cm was considered as normal, while subjects with value of more than 80 cm were considered at high risk. In the sitting position by using the nose clips, spirometry was performed in all the subjects. The pulmonary parameters recorded included Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow {FEF (25-75%)}, Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1: FVC. Respiratory Rate (RR) was also noted. Results: Mean FVC and FEV1 in the present study was found to be 2.5 and 2.3 respectively. Mean respiratory rate was found to be 15 per minute. We obtained significant correlation between difference anthropometric variables related to obesity and lung function tests in female medical studies. Conclusions: Significant correlation exists between difference anthropometric variables related to obesity and lung function tests in female medical students.