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. 2025 Sep 18;110(5):214-217.
doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-328203.

Utility and interpretation of multiple breath washout in children with cystic fibrosis

Rebecca Dobra  1   2 , Christopher Short  3   2 , Kiyo Wong  4 , Clare Saunders  3   2 , Mary Abkir  3   2 , Samantha Irving  2 , Jane C Davies  3   2
Affiliations

Utility and interpretation of multiple breath washout in children with cystic fibrosis

Rebecca Dobra et al. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. .

Abstract

Transformative changes in the health of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) mean that more sensitive outcome measures are needed to monitor paediatric CF lung disease. Multiple breath washout (MBW) and its primary readout lung clearance index are gaining increasing traction as an endpoint for clinical trials in the CF space and show promise as a clinical investigation. In this article, we use four clinically based questions to explore what MBW can and cannot (yet) do and highlight some of its strengths and weaknesses as an investigation. We end by discussing how we can increase the utility of MBW as an investigation in children with CF.

Keywords: Cystic Fibrosis; Physiology; Respiratory Medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: RD has accepted honoraria from Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Chiesi and has been awarded grants from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. JCD has undertaken clinical trial leadership and/ or Advisory Board and speaking roles for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Eloxx, Algipharma, Abbvie, Arcturus, Enterprise Therapeutics, Recode, LifeArc, Genentech, and Tavanta. She has been awarded research grants from the UK Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, EPSRC, NIHR and LifeArc.

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