Spirometric pulmonary function in healthy preschool children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate spirometric lung function in norm al children ages 3 to 6 yr. Spirometric measurements were obtained at nurse ry and daycare centers by experienced pediatric pulmonary function technici ans. Of 307 children recruited, 259 fulfilled our criteria as normal. Of th ese, 82.6% (214) were able to perform technically acceptable and reproducib le maneuvers during a testing session limited to 15 min. The regression mod el with log-transformed parameters of pulmonary function and height had the best correlations. After accounting for height in the model, other physica l traits and health questionnaire items did not contribute significantly. P EFR, FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75 all increased with increasing height; correlat ion coefficients were 0.73, 0.93, 0.92, and 0.67, respectively. The group m ean coefficients of variation for replicate measurements of PEFR, FVC, FEV1 , and FEF25-75 were 7.8%, 2.5%, 2.7%, and 8.3%, respectively. There was a s ignificant decrease in the ratio FEV1/FVC with increasing height; the mean predicted FEV1/FVC was 0.97 at 90 cm height and 0.89 at 125 cm height. In c onclusion, reproducible spirometry can be obtained in the majority of presc hool children and has the potential to improve our assessment and managemen t of pulmonary disease.