Abstract
Background
To assess wheezing at the end of expiration in infants, the author tested auscultatory techniques in children using toys.
Study methods
Breath sounds were obtained with a sonograph while children were playing with a pinwheel, a blow-up ball (ball), or an elephant blow-up thread (elephant), and analyzed. Physicians who volunteered to assess these toys returned 77 questionnaires.
Results
Sonograms showed a low inspiratory-expiratory ratio and the greatest dispersion when the pinwheel was used, the highest inspiratory-expiratory ratio and large dispersion when the ball was used, and a lower inspiratory-expiratory ratio than that obtained with the ball and the smallest dispersion when the elephant was used. Questionnaires showed that physicians rated the elephant most highly for auscultation of breath sounds and wheezing. Physicians pointed out that the ball was difficult to handle and involved the risk of accidental ingestion.
Discussion
The present study showed that children repeated forced respiration regularly to the end of expiration while playing with the elephant. Questionnaires have also revealed that the elephant was rated highly as an aid to auscultation. This toy is expected to allow easy confirmation of resolution of wheezing at the end of expiration and more reliable asthma management in infants.
