ABSTRACT
In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, universal face masking represents one of the most important strategies to limit the spread of infection. However, their use in children is still highly debated (Esposito and Principi, 2020; Esposito et al., 2020) and there are few data (Lubrano et al., 2021a, 2021b) describing their possible effects on respiratory function in children. A dataset in this paper presents a comparison of the data related to the effects on respiratory function of children wearing a filtering facepiece 2 (N95 mask) with or without exhalation valve. 22 healthy children were randomly assigned to two groups, both groups wearing an N95 mask: one without an exhalation valve (group A), another with an exhalation valve (group B). Children were subjected to a 72 min test: the first 30 min without mask, then 30 min wearing face mask while practiced their usual play activity; finally, 12 min, with face mask in place, while they walked as in a walking test. They were monitored through to microstream capnography system (Rad-97TM with Nomo-Line Capnography, Masimo, Irvine, CA, USA) to log oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rate (RR). We use the Wilcoxon test to analyzed the differences between the parameters recorded during the study in group A and B. Data analysis was performed using JMP14.3.0 program for Mac by SAS Institute inc.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether use of an N95 mask by children is associated with episodes of desaturation or respiratory distress. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-two healthy children were assigned at random to 1 of 2 groups: one group wearing N95 masks without an exhalation valve and the other group wearing N95 masks with an exhalation valve. We tracked changes in partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2), oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and respiratory rate over 72 minutes of mask use. All subjects were monitored every 15 minutes, the first 30 minutes while not wearing a mask and the next 30 minutes while wearing a mask. They then performed a 12-minute walking test. RESULTS: The children did not experience a statistically significant change in oxygen saturation or pulse rate during the study. There were significant increases in respiratory rate and PETCO2 in the children wearing an N95 mask without an exhalation valve, whereas these increases were seen in the children wearing a mask with an exhalation valve only after the walking test. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an N95 mask could potentially cause breathing difficulties in children if the mask does not have an exhalation valve, particularly during a physical activity. We believe that wearing a surgical mask may be more appropriate for children.