Respiratory Studies in Children I. Lung Volumes in Healthy Children, 6–14 Years of Age1

Abstract

Summary 1. The lung volume relationships in 93 children (50 boys and 43 girls) in the 6–14 year age group were studied. 2. The functional residual capacity (VFRC) was measured by a closed circuit method with helium as the test gas. The method was modified to a certain extent for use in children. 3. The vital capacity (Vvc) and its subdivisions, inspiratory capacity (VIC) and expiratory reserve volume (VER), were determined by spirometry in connection with the determination of the VFRC. The residual volume (VR) was calculated as the difference between the VFRC and VER. 4. In 89 double determinations a slight training effect is shown by the fact that the end‐expiratory level is somewhat lower in the second determination. This effect of adaptation is so slight, however, that it does not seem to be of any clinical practical importance. Therefore the difference of the double determinations have been used for the calculation of the random error of the method. 5. The relationships between the different lung volumes and weight, height and sitting height have been determined by regression calculations. Of the three measures of body size examined height has proved to be the most favorable when it is raised to a power somewhat smaller than 3. 6. The boys showed a tendency toward having somewhat higher values than the girls but it has not been possible to prove a statistically significant difference. 7. The ratios, VFRC/VTLC and VR/VTLC, and their relationship to age have been calculated. 8. A diagram for predicting the different lung volumes from height measurements is given. Les diverses composantes du volume pulmonaire ont étéétudiées dans un groupe de 93 enfants de 6 à 14 ans (50 garçons, 43 filles). Le volume résiduel (FCR) a été mesuré par une méthode en circuit fermé, utilisant l'hélium comme gaz témoin. La méthode habituelle a été légèrement modifiée pour son application à l'enfance. La capacité vitale et ses composantes (capacité inspiratoire et capacité expiratoire –VIC et VER dans le texte) ont été mesurées par la spirométrie en association avec la mesure de l'air résiduel (VFCR)‐ VR a été calculé par la différence entre VFCR et VER. Un léger effet de l'entrainement a pu être prouvé par une double mesure dans 89 cas; lors de la deuxième épreuve le taux de fin d'inspiration était un peu plus bas. Cependant, cet effet de l'entrainement est si discret, qu'on peut le négliger dans la pratique des épreuves courantes. Pour cette raison, on a pu utiliser la différence entre les doubles mesures pour le calcul des erreurs de la méthode. Les rapports entre les divers volumes pul monaires d'une part, et le poids, la taille, la taille assise d'autre part, ont été envisagés. La taille a paru l'élément déterminant, à condition qu'elle soit portée à un rapport légè‐rement inféricur à puissance 3. II semblerait que le groupe des garcons montre des chiffres un peu plus élevés que celui des filles; mais, on n'a pu apporter néanmoins de différence statistiquement probante. Les rapports VFCR/VTLC et VR/VTLCainsi que leur comparaison ...

On the Estimation of Total Lung Capacity from Chest X-rays Radiographic and Helium Dilution Estimates on Children Aged 10–12 Years

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