Relation of armspan to height and the prediction of lung function

Abstract

Height and armspan were measured in healthy 8-18 year old boys and girls to assess the appropriate correction factor to be applied when height cannot be measured easily. No correction factor was found necessary, height being directly estimated from armspan. Predicted lung function is usually based on height. In scoliosis, muscular dystrophy, paraplegia, and any condition where height is difficult to measure armspan is often substituted for height, and a correction factor applied. 1,2 Previous measurements of height and armspan in children and adolescents have been based on small numbers1,2 and so there is some doubt about the validity of these correction factors. As part of a large longitudi..