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Reference values for spirometry in preschool children

Edjane F Burity1, Carlos A C Pereira, José A Rizzo

  • 1Pós-graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil. edjaneburity@hotmail.com

Jornal De Pediatria
|June 25, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study derived new lung function reference values for preschool children in Brazil. Height and gender were found to significantly impact spirometry measures like forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Lung function reference values vary globally, necessitating population-specific data.
  • Preschool children present unique challenges for accurate spirometry due to difficulties in obtaining full expiratory curves.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish reliable reference values for lung function tests in Brazilian preschool children.
  • To identify factors influencing spirometry measurements in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 425 preschool children (3-6 years) in a Brazilian metropolitan area.
  • Spirometry measurements included peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volumes (FEV1, FEV0.50), and related ratios.
  • Regression analysis was used to define reference values, considering height and gender.

Main Results:

  • A total of 321 children completed the tests, with 135 (42.0%) providing acceptable spirometry curves.
  • Height and gender were significant predictors for forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).
  • Both linear and logarithmic regression models were explored, with the linear model favored for simplicity.

Conclusions:

  • Obtaining complete expiratory curves in preschoolers remains challenging.
  • Gender, in addition to height, influences key spirometry parameters (FVC, FEV1) in this population.
  • The derived reference values are applicable to Brazilian preschool children and similar demographic groups.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildCriançaEspirometriaLung function testsPreschoolPré-escolarReference valuesSpirometryTestes de função pulmonarValores de referência

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