Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE CHANGES IN PREGNANCY (HOSPITAL-BASED STUDY)

Dr. Saif Abdulhussein Hassan*

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is associated with physiological changes in the control of breathing, in lung volumes, in the mechanics of respiration and in acid base balance. Objective: To compare the FEF25-75 and PEFR of non-pregnant & pregnant women in different trimesters of pregnancy and to determine the effect of gestational age on the PEFR and FEF 25-75 measurements. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional analytical study undertaken in the unit of pulmonary function in association with the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, in Baghdad teaching hospital in Baghdad. The study started from June 2016 to June 2017. Results: The study did not follow the same female in her different stages of pregnancy; we took random samples in different trimesters of the pregnancy (some of them were in the 1st, some in the 2nd and some in the third trimester). FEF25percentage was the only small airway parameter that is affected between the pregnant and the non- pregnant (P value was less than 0.05) BUT not in different trimesters of same pregnancy. In addition, there was change in the PEFR between the pregnant and the non- pregnant (P value was less than 0.05), But no change between the different trimesters. Conclusion: We conclude that, there is significant difference in FEF25percentage between pregnant and non- pregnant women but no difference among different trimesters of pregnancy. In addition, there are no difference in FEF50percentage, FEF75percentage between pregnant and non- pregnant women, and no difference among different trimesters of pregnancy. Recommendation: We recommend that every pregnant woman should have the FEF25percentage as an important parameter for small airway diseases severity assessment in pregnancy.

Keywords: Evaluation, expiratory, flow, rate, pregnancy.