Lung functions in malnourished children aged five to eleven years
Faridi, M.M.; Gupta, P.; Prakash, A.
Indian Pediatrics 32(1): 35-42
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 8617532 Document Number: 454724
Lung functions were measured with a pocket spirometer in 42 healthy and 80 malnourished boys and girls 5 to 11 years old in Delhi, India. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first s (FEV1) were significantly reduced in malnourished children. FVC, FEV1 and peak expiratory flow rate showed linear relations with body surface area at all ages. The Empey index was not significantly different in healthy and malnourished children. It is concluded that abnormal respiratory functions should be interpreted with caution in malnourished children.