Impact of backpack load on ventilatory function

International Meeting on Clinical Case Reports

April 18-20, 2016 Dubai, UAE

Abeer Alkatheri

Prince Sultan Military Medical City, KSA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Case Rep

Abstract :

Objective: To explore the backpack load as a percentile of body weight (BW) and its impact on ventilator function including tidal volume (Vt), vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) among 9-12 year old Saudi girls. Methods: This is a prospective, experimental study of 91 Saudi girls aged between 9-12 years from primary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study took place in King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between April 2012 and May 2012. Ventilator function was measured under 2 conditions: A free standing position without carrying a backpack and while carrying a backpack. Results: The backpack load observed was 13.8% of the BW, which is greater than the recommended limit (10% BW). All values of ventilator function were significantly reduced after carrying the backpack (p<0.001) with the exception of FEV1/FVC (p>0.178). The reduction was observed even with the lowest backpack load (7.4% BW). Conclusion: A significant reduction was reported for most of the ventilator function parameters while carrying the backpack. This reduction was apparent even with the least backpack load (7.4% BW) carried by the participants. This study recommends that the upper safe limit of backpack load carried by Saudi girls aged 9-12 years should be less than 7.4% of BW.

Biography :

Email: aalkatheri@psmmc.med.sa