FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio in children of 7-14 years of age from Western Rajasthan

Abstract

Background: The knowledge of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) is a basic requirement to understand the respiratory physiology for all medical physiologists and clinicians Pulmonary Function Tests provide objective evidence of nature and severity of lung disease.

Objective: To observe FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC ratio in healthy male and female school children from 7-14 years of age in Western Rajasthan and to find out the relationship of FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC ratio with their height, weight, BSA and sex

Methods: The present study was carried out on 112 male and 76 female children of 7-14 years. For Pulmonary Function Tests, FEV₁, FVC and FEV₁/FVC along with anthropometric data of each subject was recorded. Data were analyzed by unpaired t test, Pearson correlation coefficient test, simple and multiple regression analysis.

Results: FVC and FEV₁ values were found significantly (p<0.001) higher in male than those of female. Significant positive correlation of FVC and FEV₁ whereas non significant negative correlation of FEV1/FVC were observed with age, height, weight, body surface area in all children.

Conclusion: As the weight, age, height and BSA of subjects increases, FEV₁ and FVC increases while FEV₁/FVC ratio decreases in both the sexes.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsp.v8i1.16646

J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2013, June; 8(1): 37-41