Arm span is a good predictor for Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory volume (FEV1) in healthy children aged 8 to 12 years

Abstract

Spirometry is the method of choice for evaluation of pulmonary function tests in adults and in children as well. Some dynamic pulmonary functions like forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at the end of one second (FEV1) are the most common parameters for the assessment of restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. The FVC and FEV1 was measured in 400 normal healthy children in the age group of 8 to 12 years of Lucknow city. It was observed that there was a parallel progressive increase in the magnitude of arm span, a physical growth parameter and pulmonary functions like forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at the end of one second (FEV1) per year increase in the age. A highly significant positive correlation existed between arm span and pulmonary functions. To predict FVC & FEV1 from arm span multiple and partial Bivariate prediction equations were calculated.