Rodrigo Torres-Castro, Francisco Quinteros, Cynthia Valdés, Claudio Santín, Roberto Vera-Uribe, Matías Otto-Yáñez, Javiera Rosales-Fuentes and Marcelo Cano-Cappellacci
Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a respiratory disease characterised by obstruction of the small airways. This obstruction limits the exercise capacity and reduces the quality of life of affected children. Two children with PIBO who were 10 and 14 years of age and both oxygen-dependent are presented. Both children underwent heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, revealing an increase in the LFnu and the LF/HF ratio and demonstrating a predominant effect on the sympathetic system. The functional capacity was assessed by a six-minute walking test (6MWT), and the distance travelled was lower than the reference values. Spirometry revealed advanced obstructive ventilatory limitation in both cases. The HRV measurements are consistent with the decrease in physical fitness in these children and indicate the need for further studies on HRV in this pathology.
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