Arm span is a good predictor for Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory volume (FEV1) in healthy children aged 8 to 12 years

Deepak Saxena,Pradeep Kumar

doi:10.7439/ijbr.v6i9.2374

Abstract

Spirometry is the method of choice for evaluation of pulmonary function tests in adults and in children as well. Some dynamic pulmonary functions like forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at the end of one second (FEV1) are the most common parameters for the assessment of restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. The FVC and FEV1 was measured in 400 normal healthy children in the age group of 8 to 12 years of Lucknow city. It was observed that there was a parallel progressive increase in the magnitude of arm span, a physical growth parameter and pulmonary functions like forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at the end of one second (FEV1) per year increase in the age. A highly significant positive correlation existed between arm span and pulmonary functions. To predict FVC & FEV1 from arm span multiple and partial Bivariate prediction equations were calculated.

Highlights

Environmental pollution, passive smoking, restricted outdoor activities in the form of games and sports is reflected in the health of children in the present day living
The respiratory tract is probably more often affected by disease than any other system of the body
Spirometry is the method of choice for evaluation of pulmonary function test [4]

Summary

Introduction

Environmental pollution, passive smoking, restricted outdoor activities in the form of games and sports is reflected in the health of children in the present day living. The prevalence of childhood pulmonary diseases especially bronchial asthma is increasing worldwide [1,2,3]. This necessitates the need for establishing regression equations for predicting pulmonary functions in children. A number of studies of lung functions have been conducted in the adults [5,6,7] but there are very few studies that have established reference standards for pulmonary functions in Indian children[1,8]. Pulmonary function is known to vary with age, height, weight, arm span, sex and geographic locations [9,10]. The aim of this study was to derive accurate prediction equations to predict FVC and FEV1 from arm span

Material and methods

Findings

Discussion