Dynamic and static lung volumes of school children with cerebral palsy

Summary The dynamic and static lung volumes were measured in 22 subjects with cerebral palsy. There were no signs of airway obstruction. The total lung capacity was significantly reduced, averaging 85 per cent of the predicted normal values. In the 14 subjects with spasticity, the functional residual capacity was significantly reduced to 75 per cent of the predicted value, whereas the eight subjects with dyskinesia showed a marked and significant increase in the residual volume (156 per cent of the predicted value). This difference in the distribution of the lung volumes resulted in a 50 per cent decrease in the vital capacity för subjects with dyskinesia compared with a 67 per cent decrease för subjects with spasticity. These deviations in lung volumes from the predicted normal values and the differences between the two groups can be explained by the reduced ability of voluntary muscular control.