[Reference values for FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75% in school children]

Reference values for FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75% have been developed on a sample of 2500 healthy school-children (nonsmokers) from Split, ranging in age from 6 to 18 years. We measured respiratory parameters (FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75%) in a standing position, statistically analysed the results and presented them tabularly with regard to age, standing and sitting height and body weight. The results revealed a high correlation between FVC and FEV1 with respect to age, standing and sitting height and body weight. There was no significant difference between respiratory parameters and the two measured positions (standing and sitting positions). A statistically significant difference was noted in the ventilatory parameters of the children (FVC, FEV1) between the boys and girls. Regression analysis was performed for all three respiratory parameters (FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75%) vs age and height, separately for boys and girls. Nomograms for predicting respiratory parameters for boys and girls from the Dalmatian region were also constructed in order to enable better future epidemiologic studies for early detection of ventilatory impairment in school-children.