Clinical Evaluation of a Wheeze Detector for Children

Abstract

By Sarah Fitzpatrick, Biology (conc. in Biomedical Studies)

Advisor: Rachelle Ramsey

Presentation ID: PM_B11

Abstract: Asthma is one of the most common childhood chronic diseases and causes increased school absences, emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Wheezing, a symptom of asthma, occurs when the small airways of the lung become narrow or constricted. Monitoring the symptoms of young children can be difficult as physicians must rely on patient/caregiver report of symptoms. Objectifying symptoms such as wheezing has the potential to improve the diagnosis and management of asthma. The goal of this study is to evaluate the Wheeze Detector in pediatric patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in an open, single-arm clinical validation study. Eighty-five children (age 3 months to 13 years) diagnosed with asthma or bronchiolitis provided lung sound recordings. Demographic and disease data was collected through medical chart review. Results from the device's algorithm will be compared to a judgement of a panel of physicians. The outcome of this clinical evaluation will impact the development of a portable wheeze detector making it easier to monitor wheezing and manage the asthma of young children.