The importance of spirometry in the assessment of childhood asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the pulmonary function of children with asthma at the time of a routine follow-up visit when they were judged to be clinically well.


METHODS
Pulmonary function tests were performed on children with a previous diagnosis of asthma. None had had any symptoms for at least 6 weeks. All had normal Wright peak flow rates and normal findings at physical examination.


METHODS
General pediatric and pediatric pulmonary clinic at a municipal hospital in the Bronx, NY.


METHODS
Sixty-five children with asthma who fit the above criteria. All were able to perform spirometry adequately. Their mean (+/- SD) age was 11 +/- 3 years, and their median age was 10 years.


METHODS
All clinic patients were screened as possible participants. The 65 patients were deemed eligible, and were willing and able to perform spirometry.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
The group's mean (+/- SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio was 80% +/- 8%, and their mean mid-maximal expiratory flow was 66% +/- 23% of the predicted value. Of the 65 patients, 11 (17%) had forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratios of less than 72%, and 35 (54%) had a mid-maximal expiratory flow of less than 65% of the predicted value.


CONCLUSIONS
Failure to perform spirometry in children with asthma results in underdiagnosis of airflow obstruction. This may result in obstruction persisting into adulthood and/or progression to hyperinflation.
Bye
M R
MR
Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461.
Kerstein
D
D
Barsh
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013147:Spirometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D014797:Vital Capacity