Objective: To present normative values for maximal respiratory pressures in healthy children and adolescents based on a meta-analysis of reference equations from previous publications. Data Sources: The searches were carried out until May 2020 in the following databases: ScienceDirect, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online- MEDLINE (PubMed), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature - CINAHL, Scientific Electronic Library Online - SciELO. Study Selection: Articles that determined normative values and/or reference equations for maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in healthy children and adolescents published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish regardless of the year of publication were included. Data Extraction: Two reviewers selected titles and abstracts to identify the studies. In case of conflict, a third reviewer was requested. Results: Initially, 248 studies were identified, 26 studies were included in the systematic review and 17 in the meta-analysis. The sample consisted of 5,190 individuals, and the MIP and MEP values were stratified by sex and age groups of 4-11 and 12-19 years. Values from 4 to 11 years for females were: 66.4 cmH2O for MIP and 74.8 cmH2O for MEP, and for males, 76.1 cmH2O for MIP and 84.7 cmH2O for MEP. In the age group from 12 to 19 years, for females were: 81.4 cmH2O for MIP and 90.1 cmH2O for MEP, and for males were 95.6 cmH2O for MIP and 108.3 cmH2O for MEP. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested normative values for respiratory muscle strength in children and adolescents based on 17 studies.

Objective: To evaluate the functional capacity, pulmonary function and quality of life of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and to test the reproducibility of functional capacity tests in this population. Method: Cross-sectional study with  volunteers with SCA genotype Hb-SS (SCAG), aged 6 to 18 years matched in age and  gender to the control group (CG). Spirometry, 5-repetition sit-to-stand test (5STS-test),  modified shuttle walk test (MSWT), and Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) were performed. The reproducibility of 5STS-test and MSWT was evaluated:   Results: 48 volunteers of SCAG and 48 of CG were evaluated. Pulmonary function of SCAG (FVC: 92 ± 15% pred.; FEV 1 /FVC: 84 ± 8% pred.) was worse than the CG (104 ± 15% pred.; FEV 1 /FVC: 90 ± 6% pred.) p < 0.05. SCAG had worse functional capacity registered by distance walked: 576m (515-672m) and 5STS-test: 8 seconds (7.4-8.9seconds) compared to the CG who showed distance walked: 1010m (887- 1219m) and 5STS-test: 7 seconds (7.0-8.1seconds), p < 0.001. SCAG had worse quality compared to CG, p < 0.05. The reproducibility was good of MSWT (ICC 0.99 (0.98-0.99 IC-95%)) and 5STS-test (ICC 0.80 (0.69 – 0.88), p < 0.001 . Conclusion: Children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia showed worse capacity to walk or run, and to perform sit-to-stand test. Additionally, they have poor quality of life when compared with their control peers. The MSWT and 5STS-test showed reproducible to be applied in pediatric individual with SCA.