[Comparison of the oscillatory measurement of airway resistance with plethysmography and spirometry in juvenile patients].

In 78 children (age 4 to 17 years, height 102 to 179 cm) with and without clinical signs of airway obstruction, spirometric and plethysmographic measurements were compared with the forced oscillation method for determination of resistance to breathing (Ros). Ros was measured with a recently developed apparatus (Siregnost FD5. Siemens) and showed a close correlation with resistance (r = 0.84; n = 78). The spirometric values did not, however, exhibit a definite relationship to Ros. This study demonstrates that airway obstruction in children can be equally well estimated by oscillatory and plethysmographic techniques. Compared with plethysmography, determination of Ros has the particular advantage of being better tolerated by young subjects.