Pulmonary function in subjects at the extremes of stature

Normal indexes of pulmonary function are based on data from large numbers of persons, using sex, size, and age as independent determinants. The influence of aging has been well examined, but few subjects at the extremes of stature have been included in previous studies. The predicted normal values are extrapolated from data acquired in studies of persons of average height. To evaluate these predictions at the extremes of stature, we performed full pulmonary function testing in 49 healthy, nonsmoking Caucasian subjects (28 men, 21 women) who were either above the 99th or below the 5th percentile for height. Nineteen subjects of average height (9 men, 10 women) performed spirometric testing. The techniques and equipment used met the American Thoracic Society's recommendations. We demonstrated that predicted values of pulmonary function testing can be extended to include those persons at the extremes of stature.