SPIROMETRIC REFERENCE VALUES FOR WHITE EUROPEAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS - POLGAR REVISITED

We analyzed six spirometric data sets collected in the Netherlands, Au stria, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy. The objectives were to es tablish whether (1) it was possible to describe spirometric indices fr om childhood to adulthood, taking into account the adolescent growth s purt, and (2) there are systematic differences in ventilatory function between children and adolescents in different parts of Western Europe . The study comprised 2,269 girls and 3,592 boys, aged 6-21 years. The range in standing height was 110-185 in girls, 110-205 in boys. The m odel applicable to all data sets was in FVC or In FEV(1) = a + (b + c. A).H, where H = standing height and A = age; this model prevents the p hase shift between the adolescent growth spurt in length and lung Volu me from leading to an age-dependent bias in predicted values. There wa s surprising agreement between most of the data sets; systematic diffe rences are probably due to technical factors arising from ATPS-BTPS co rrections and from defining the end of breath with pneumotachometer sy stems. Taking those into account, prediction equations for FVC, FEV(1) , and FEV(1)%FVC were developed with ''lower limits of normal'' which should be applicable to children and adolescents of European descent. It is proposed that the approach of analyzing available data sets shou ld also be applied to other ventilatory indices, data collected in adu lts and elderly subjects, or in other ethnic groups, and that an inter national data base be set up to that end. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1995; 19:1 35-142. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.