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Lung function in North American Indian children: reference standards for spirometry, maximal expiratory flow volume
Insights
Lung function reference standards were established for North American Indian children. Standing height accurately predicts lung function, with results comparable to other ethnicities but higher than Black children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Anthropometry
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Establishing normative lung function data is crucial for diagnosing respiratory conditions in diverse pediatric populations.
- Previous research has indicated ethnic variations in lung function parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference standards for lung function in healthy North American Indian children aged 7 to 18 years.
- To assess the predictive value of standing height on lung function variables in this population.
Main Methods:
- Spirometry, maximal expiratory flow-volume curves, and peak expiratory flow rate were measured.
- Techniques and equipment followed American Thoracic Society recommendations.
- Prediction equations were developed using standing height as the independent variable.
Main Results:
- Standing height was a significant predictor of lung function.
- Lung volumes and expiratory flow rates were similar to White and Mexican-American children, but greater than Black children.
- Lung function increased curvilinearly with age and height; volume-adjusted flow rates decreased with increasing age and height.
Conclusions:
- Prediction equations based on standing height provide reliable lung function reference standards for North American Indian children.
- Lung volume increases slightly faster than airway size during growth in this population.
- Findings contribute to understanding ethnic-specific lung function variations.
Abstract:
Reference standards of lung function was determined in 176 healthy North American Indian children (94 girls, 82 boys) 7 to 18 yr of age. Spirometry, maximal expiratory flow volume curves, and peak expiratory flow rate were measured using techniques and equipment recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Standing height was found to be an accurate predictor of lung function, and prediction equations for each lung function variable are presented using standing height as the independent variable. Lung volumes and expiratory flow rates in North American Indian children were similar to those previously reported for white and Mexican-American children but were greater than those in black children. In both boys and girls, lung function increased in a curvilinear fashion. Volume-adjusted maximal expiratory flow rates after expiring 50 or 75% of FVC tended to decrease in both sexes as age and height increased. Our maximal expiratory flow volume curve data suggest that as North American Indian children grow, lung volume increases at a slightly faster rate than airway size does.