RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Changes in the FEV<sub>1</sub>/FVC ratio during childhood and adolescence: an intercontinental study
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1391
OP 1399
DO 10.1183/09031936.00164109
VO 36
IS 6
A1 Quanjer, P.H.
A1 Stanojevic, S.
A1 Stocks, J.
A1 Hall, G.L.
A1 Prasad, K.V.V.
A1 Cole, T.J.
A1 Rosenthal, M.
A1 Perez-Padilla, R.
A1 Hankinson, J.L.
A1 Falaschetti, E.
A1 Golshan, M.
A1 Brunekreef, B.
A1 Al-Rawas, O.
A1 Kühr, J.
A1 Trabelsi, Y.
A1 Ip, M.S.M.
YR 2010
UL https://publications.ersnet.org//content/36/6/1391.abstract
AB In children, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) is reportedly constant or falls linearly with age, whereas the ratio of residual volume (RV) to total lung capacity (TLC) remains constant. This seems counter-intuitive given the changes in airway properties, body proportions, thoracic shape and respiratory muscle function that occur during growth. The age dependence of lung volumes, FEV1/FVC and RV/TLC were studied in children worldwide. Spirometric data were available for 22,412 healthy youths (51.4% male) aged 4–20 yrs from 15 centres, and RV and TLC data for 2,253 youths (56.7% male) from four centres; three sets included sitting height (SH). Data were fitted as a function of age, height and SH. In childhood, FVC outgrows TLC and FEV1, leading to falls in FEV1/FVC and RV/TLC; these trends are reversed in adolescence. Taking into account SH materially reduces differences in pulmonary function within and between ethnic groups. The highest FEV1/FVC ratios occur in those shortest for their age. When interpreting lung function test results, the changing pattern in FEV1/FVC and RV/TLC should be considered. Prediction equations for children and adolescents should take into account sex, height, age, ethnic group, and, ideally, also SH.