Pulmonary complications of obesity have been extensively investigated in adults. However, few studies have evaluated the pulmonary function in obese children. The aim of this study was to perform a pulmonary function test in 29 obese children (15 females, 14 males; median age 11 yr.; BMI > percentil 95; weight for height ≥ 140) without respiratory complaints.

We evaluated the following parameters: FVC (forced vital capacity), FEVI (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), FEF 25-75% (forced expiratory flow at 25-75% vital capacity) and the FEVl/FVC ratio.

According to Polgar's and Promadhat's criteria (American Toracic Society Statement, 1979), four subjects (14%) had at least one abnormal parameter. Three patients showed mild obstructive ventilatory disturbance characterized by FEF 25-75% < 75%. After bronchodilator inhalation, in 2 out of 3 patients, the altered parameter became normal. One patient showed a mild obstructive ventilatory disturbance affecting the large airways (FEVl < 80% and FVC < 80%) with normalization of the paremeters after bronchodilator.

Our results showed that severe obesity in children may be associated with altered pulmonary function.

The pediatrician should be alert for this event during the follow-up of the obese children.