Table 5 Differences at baseline in children included and excluded from 4-year follow-up analysis
Patients studied(n = 31)Patients excluded(n = 28)p Value
Sex (M:F)17:1414:14
Aetiology
    Idiopathic167
    Congenital malformation31
    Post-infectious31
    Primary Immunodeficiency718
    Aspiration21
Age (years)*7.6 (4.8–12.5)10.1 (5.1–15.8)0.023‡
Growth†
    Height−0.57 (1.26)−0.79 (1.38)0.529§
    Weight−0.21 (1.18)−0.17 (1.53)0.914§
    BMI0.08 (1.22)0.31 (1.56)0.543§
Lung function†
    FVC−2.16 (1.67)−2.34 (1.96)0.710§
    FEV1−2.72 (1.57)−2.58 (1.81)0.742§

  • *Median (range). †Mean (SD) z-scores. ‡Mann-Whitney test. §Independent sample t test.

  • BMI, body mass index; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC, forced vital capacity.