Pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation program at a Chilean public hospital.

Introduction: Pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation is relevant in the management of chronic respiratory diseases. In Chile, it is provided only at certain hospitals. Objective. To describe the outcomes of a pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation program after 3 months of rehabilitation.

Methodology: Retrospective study of patients with chronic lung disease, neuromuscular disease, and other chronic conditions admitted to the program between June 2011 and June 2017. Assessments included general physical and respiratory muscle examination, and spirometry. General physical training and respiratory muscle training were planned according to facilitybased, mixed and home protocols.

Results: A total of 156 patients (11.45 ± 3.55 years old) were included, 68 had chronic lung disease (11.56 ± 4.6 years old, 43.5 %); 45, neuromuscular disease (11.4 ± 3.7 years old, 28.8 %); and 43, various chronic conditions (11.31 ± 3.9 years old). Out of all patients, 102 (65.4 %) followed training protocols; targeted (n = 27), mixed (n = 23), and home (n = 50); compliance was 69 %, 87.5 %, and 70 %, respectively. Peak inspiratory pressure increased by 19.3 % (p = 0.001); peak expiratory pressure, 14.5 % (p = 0.001); forced vital capacity, 12.9 % (p = 0.001); forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 11.6 % (p = 0.004); and the six-minute walk test, 17.6 meters (p = 0.036) after 3 months of rehabilitation.

Conclusions: The intervention protocol improved cardiorespiratory functional capacity. Compliance was over 65 %.