Reference Equation for Respiratory Pressures in Pediatric Population: A Multicenter Study.

Abstract

Previous studies have proposed only one prediction equation for respiratory muscle strength without taking into consideration differences between ages in pediatric population. In addition, those researches were single-center studies. The objective of this study was to establish reference equations for maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax) in children and teenagers. In a multicenter study, 450 healthy volunteers were evaluated (aged 6-18yrs). There were included volunteers with normal lung function. We excluded volunteers who could not perform the tests; participated in physical activity more than twice a week; were born prematurely; smokers; chronic respiratory, cardiologic, and/or neurologic diseases; had acute respiratory disease during the prior three weeks. The volunteers were divided into two groups: Group 6-11 (6-11yrs) and Group 12-18 (12-18yrs). PImax and PEmax were measured according to statement. The mean PImax value was 85.6 (95%IC 83.6-87.6 cmH2O), and PEmax 84.6 (95%IC 85.5-86.2 cmH2O). The prediction equations for PImax and PEmax for Group 6-11 were 37.458-0.559 + (age * 3.253) + (BMI * 0.843) + (age * gender * 0.985); and 38.556 + 15.892 + (age * 3.023) + (BMI * 0.579) + (age * gender * 0.881), respectively (R2 = 0.34 and 0.31, P<0.001). The equations for Group 12-18 were 92.472 + (gender * 9.894) + 7.103, (R2 = 0.27, P = 0.006) for PImax; and 68.113 + (gender * 17.022) + 6.46 + (BMI * 0.927), (R2 = 0.34, P<0.0001) for PEmax. This multicenter study determined the respiratory muscle strength prediction equations for children and teenagers.