[Normal values for spirometry lung function values and peak flow for 7-18-year-old probands]

A prospective cohort study, designed to examine the long-term effects of air pollution on respiratory health, was conducted during the years 1977, 1979 and 1985 in Southwest Germany. In order to derive prediction equations, we analyzed the functional relationship of pulmonary function and anthropometric measures by graphical tools and regression analysis. Results are based on 10.605 spirometric measurements from 6625 individuals aged 7 to 18 years. Asthmatics, extremely overweighted persons, and smokers were excluded. Regression equations for the logarithmic transformation of FVC, FEV0.75 FEV1.0 MMEF and peak-flow are obtained separately for boys and girls, using the logarithms of standing height, weight and age as linear predictors. A comparison between equations from the present study and other available reference data shows that our prediction values for the volume parameters are at the upper end of the range given by other studies whereas for the flow parameters they lie in the middle of the range.