Spirometric pulmonary function parameters of healthy Chinese children aged 3–6 years in Taiwan

Abstract

Spirometry is a well-known technique for evaluating pulmonary function, but few studies have focused on preschool children. The aim of this study was to determine reference values of forced spirometric parameters in young Chinese children, aged 3-6 years, in Taiwan. Spirometric measurements were performed at day care centers by experienced pediatricians. Of 248 children without a history of chronic respiratory illness, at least two valid spirometric attempts were obtained from 214 children (109 boys and 105 girls; age: 36-83 [mean = 61] months; height: 90-131 [mean = 111] cm). Values of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and 0.5 sec (FEV(0.5)), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), forced expiratory between 25% and 75% FVC (FEF(25-75)), and forced expiratory flow rate at 25%, 50%, and 75% of FVC (FEF(25), FEF(50), and FEF(75)) were derived and analyzed. There were significant positive correlations between study parameters and body height, body weight, and age. Height was the most consistently correlated measurement in both boys and girls. Although boys tended to have higher spirometric values than girls, we found significant differences only in FVC and FEV1 between boys and girls aged 6 years. The regression equations of each parameter were obtained. In conclusion, spirometric pulmonary function tests are feasible in 3- to 6-year-old children. The obtained values and regression equations provide a reference for Chinese preschool children and may be of value in evaluating pulmonary function of children with respiratory problems in this age group.

Respiratory functional and motor control deficits in children with spinal cord injury

“…In fact, only two children from this study who could not perform acceptable FVC and FEV 1 maneuvers were excluded from data analysis. Our study confirmed that valid spirometry curves can be obtained in preschool children, suggesting its feasibility in both younger and older children (Jeng et al, 2009; Nystad et al, 2002; Pesant et al, 2007; Zapletal and Chalupová, 2003). …”

Predictive Equations Using Regression Analysis of Pulmonary Function for Healthy Children in Northeast China

“…It is imperative to develop population-specific spirometric prediction equations to ensure the reliability of the lung function evaluation [5]. There have been several studies on spirometric reference values for healthy children in Hong Kong [6]–[7], Taiwan [8]–[9] and Singapore [10]. Pulmonary function parameters are known to vary with age, sex, height, weight, race, socioeconomic environment and geographic location [11]–[13].…”

Reference values for spirometry in Chinese aged 4–80 years

“…Although several spirometric reference values for Chinese have been published (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), the major disadvantages in these studies limited the nationwide use, including small samples, limited age ranges, small local regions, as well as different study protocols and quality control. Without LLNs for nationwide Chinese, a fixed 0.7 of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV 1 /FVC) instead of LLNs was frequently applied for the diagnosis of "airflow limitation" in previous studies (7,23,24), leading possible underdiagnosis in younger subjects and over diagnosis in elderly.…”