Spirometric reference values in Estonian schoolchildren

This study was conducted to describe the relationship between anthropometri c parameters and lung function in Estonian children, to determine the refer ence values for spirometry, and to compare these results with other data se ts. The results are based on 1170 healthy non-smoking children (643 girls a nd 527 boys), aged 6-18 years. The spiroanalyser Pneumo-screen II (Jaeger) was used to register dynamic lung parameters. Natural logarithmic values of lung volumes, standing or sitting height and age were used in the final re gression model. Prediction equations for forced vital capacity (FVC), force d expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory flows when 50 and 75% of FVC has been exhaled, and mean forced expiratory f low over the middle 50% of the FVC for both sexes are presented. In compari son with recent data from European children the reference values were close for FVC, the differences were bigger for FEV1 and forced expiratory flows, especially in taller children.