Pulmonary function tests in school children.

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary Function tests were measured in 261 healthy boys and 254 healthy girls in the age group of 6 to 15 years with standard Benidects Roth type recording spirometer and Wrights Peak Flow Meter. The values of Pulmonary Functions were found to be increased with increase in age. For vital capacity this relation was curvilinear. All values were higher in boys than girls. There was significant positive correlation between pulmonary Function Tests Vital Capacity, (VC), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MV), peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and anthropometric parameters like height, weight and body surface area. Equations were formed for prediction of V.C., M.V.V. and PEFR values in relation to the height. The values of Pulmonary Functions were lower when compared with Western Standards, but were comparable with different Indian Studies.