Reference values and prediction equation for the 6-minute walk test in healthy children aged 6–12 years old

A Review of Current Evaluation and Management Strategies in Pediatric Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19

Pediatric postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (pPASC), or long COVID, is a complex, heterogeneous, multisystem syndrome that leads to disruption in the lives of children and adolescents for months, and possibly years, after recovery from acute SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection. While the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of PASC are still under investigation, clinicians are facing the immediate challenges of treating these patients. In this article, we provide an overview of the current multidisciplinary evaluation of patients with pPASC. We also offer guidance on the medical, psychological, and rehabilitative management strategies based on experience with both pPASC and patients with other postviral syndromes. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(11):e421-e425.].

Do different foot types affect the 6-min walk test capacity of younths with Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy ?

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to assess the gait capacity of youths with Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT), considering the different foot postures as a grouping variable.  METHODS: The total distance, the predicted distance, and gait velocity obtained during the six-minute walking test (6MWT) were compared between participants with and without CMT. In addition, part of the CMT group completed a 12-month follow-up. The study evaluated 63 participants (CMT group = 31; Non-CMT group = 32) aged 6 to 18, both sexes. Data included anthropometric measures, foot posture index (FPI), the distance (D6), percentage of predicted distance (%D6), and walking velocity(V) in 6MWT.

RESULTS

The D6% presented no significant difference between the types of feet in CMT or Non-CMT (p < 0.05, Kruskal Wallis test). CMT presented reduced values of D6, %D6, and V when compared to Non-CMT.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that gait performance was decreased in youths with CMT in comparison to non-CMT. Contrary to what was expected, the cavus foot type did not show lower gait capacity than the flatfoot, suggesting that the types of feet alone did not determine differences in gait capacity within the CMT group.

Reference Values for the Six Minute Walk Test in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

AIMS

To (1) describe six-minute walk test (6MWT) reference values for children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and (2) explore predictors of 6MWT distance. A secondary objective was to determine how 6MWT distances of children with JIA compare to those of children without JIA reported in the literature.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, height, weight and 6MWT data were extracted from clinical records of 120 children with JIA (70.8% female, mean age=12.4 ± 3.2 years) who attended a follow-up rheumatology clinic. A total of 272 6MWTs were included in the analyses. Linear mixed effects modeling was used to determine the relationship between predictive variables and 6MWT distance. 6MWT distances were compared to predicted values using published equations for estimating 6MWT distances in children without JIA.

RESULTS

Height, weight, and age were predictive of 6MWT distance (R² = 0.62). Mean 6MWT distances for children with JIA were lower than those reported for children without JIA (p < 0.001). Mean 6MWT distance was 84% and 78% of predicted values for children without JIA.

CONCLUSION

The reference values and associated predictive model have application for assessing exercise capacity in children with JIA.

Arm span as a predictor of the six-minute walk test in healthy children

BACKGROUND

Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is the most used test to assess functional capacity. Including arm span in the prediction equations for 6MWT performance might be an alternative for use in traditional reference equations.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to investigate the usability of arm span to predict the 6MWT distance in healthy children.

METHODS

262 healthy children aged between 6 and 12 years old participated in this study. 6MWT was conducted according to the standardized protocol. Height, weight, and arm span were measured before performing the 6MWT. A multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was used to generate the regression model.

RESULTS

The 6MWT distance had strong positive correlations with age, arm span, height, and weight (p<0.001). There was also a very strong correlation between arm span and height (p<0.001). Age and arm span were found as significant predictors in the first regression model. These two variables explained 60.2% of the variance in the 6MWT distance. Age and height were also found as significant predictors, explaining 60.5% of the variance in the 6MWT distance. The two following formula were obtained to predict the 6MWT distance: (-23.09+(31.12×Age)+(2.39×Arm span)) or (-80.0+(28.98×Age)+(2.92×Height)).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the combination of arm span (or height) and age are strong predictors of the 6MWT distance in healthy children.