Respiratory Muscle Strength in Healthy Indian Children of Age 7-17 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: As the values of respiratory muscle strength vary according to race, ethnicity, and geographical area, there is a wide-ranging difference among different populations. Thus, the available reference values may not have an application for use in the Indian paediatric population, creating a need for generating values which will be appropriate for the Indian paediatric context. Materials and Methods: Assessment of respiratory muscle strength was carried out by assessing maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and synthesising predictive formulas using anthropometric variables like height, gender and age, which will be suitable for Indian children. Results: We calculated MIP and MEP of 320 (boys=160 and girls= 160) children in the age range of 7 years to 17 years of Mangaluru city, India. Results stated that mean MIP and MEP for boys were 72.5 +/- 32.8 cm H2O and 73 +/- 33.2 cm H2O, while for the girls it was 67 +/- 30.2 cm H2O and 68 +/- 30.1 cm H2O, respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is a difference in respiratory pressure values of Indian children with respect to those of other countries. Age, gender, height and BMI have a significant role in determining respiratory muscle strength. Boys demonstrated higher MIP and MEP. As age, height, weight and BMI increases, so does MIP and MEP.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess respiratory muscle strength in Indian children and found differences in inspiratory and expiratory pressure values between genders, with boys showing higher values. Age, height, weight, and BMI were identified as significant factors influencing respiratory muscle strength, with increases in these factors leading to higher values.