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Lung function values in healthy children (10-15 years)

P P Sharma1, P Gupta, R Deshpande

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Physiology, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|January 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

This study established pulmonary function norms for healthy Delhi children aged 10-15. Boys showed higher FEV1 and FVC, with lung function increasing with age in both sexes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Establishing accurate pulmonary function norms is crucial for diagnosing respiratory conditions in children.
  • Previous studies may not reflect current demographics or environmental factors in urban Indian populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish age- and sex-specific reference norms for pulmonary function tests in healthy urban children aged 10-15 years in Delhi.
  • To develop prediction equations for lung function parameters using anthropometric variables.

Main Methods:

  • Pulmonary function tests were conducted on 222 boys and 188 girls (ages 10-15) from middle-income families in East Delhi using an electronic spirometer.
  • Data were analyzed to determine lung function values (FEV1, FVC, PEFR, FRC, TLC) stratified by age and sex.
  • Prediction equations were derived using height, age, and weight via a forward selection method.

Main Results:

  • All pulmonary function parameters increased with advancing age.
  • Boys exhibited significantly higher Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) compared to girls.
  • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Functional Residual Capacity (FRC), and Total Lung Capacity (TLC) were similar between sexes until age 13, after which boys showed higher values.
  • Height was the most significant predictor of lung function variance.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides essential reference standards for pulmonary function in well-nourished urban Delhi children aged 10-15.
  • These norms can aid in the clinical assessment and diagnosis of respiratory health in this specific pediatric population.
  • Height is a key determinant of lung function in this age group.

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