Abstract
We report our data regarding safety, feasibility and repeatability of N2-MBW in cystic fibrosis infants. Between January 2015 and January 2017, we performed lung function testing in 35 infants aged 6.7-25.2 months (median 14.7) with classical form of cystic fibrosis.
Testing was performed in patients without any signs of acute respiratory infection for at least 14 days. We conclude that N2-MBW is an attractive alternative to SF6 washout even in cystic fibrosis infants.
It is safe and feasible. Moreover, in some aspects, it may outperform the SF6 method because of its lower cost and lower technical demands of the measurement.
The suitability of this variant for longitudinal follow-up is also higher. On the other hand, it must be acknowledged, that SF6 washout offers more precise measurement with respect to a few physiological mechanisms interfering with the methodology of MBW.
Further data (e.g. regarding the normative values) are needed before widespread use of N2-MBW may be recommended.