The awake resting breathing and thoraco-abdominal pattern in children with achondroplasia

Respiratory complications can occur in children with achondroplasia (AC), and they often have sleep disorder breathing (SDB). No study during awakening is available. We used opto-electronic plethysmography to assess the ventilatory pattern at rest in seated and supine positions for at least five minutes in 30 children (15 AC) because the only request was to watch a cartoon. AC were characterized by smaller height and weight and higher BMI, lower tidal volume and minute ventilation. However, when normalised according to weight, these two parameters were normal. Only in the seated position, the thoracic expansion was significantly restricted in AC. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA1355/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> Despite a normal ventilatory pattern, we showed AC characterized by a slight thoracic restriction at rest in the seated position. SBD was reported in 2 AC and frequent end-inspiratory pauses were identified only in the supine position. If confirmed on a larger scale, these pauses can be an awake index of SDB. It would be important to investigate what causes these pauses (obstructive or central apneas) because they can indicate altered architecture of breathing control even in awake status. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA1355/F2</object-id><object-id>F2</object-id><object-id>F2</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>