Left and right ventricular (LV and RV) volumes and LV mass were assessed by angiography in 63 infants and children without major cardiovascular abnormalities. LV and RV end-diastolic volumes (EDV) were excellently expressed as a function of body surface area (BSA) with an exponential equation: LVEDV = 83.7 (BSA)1.29 ml (r = 0.96, p < 0.001), RVEDV = 87.9 (BSA)1.29 ml (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). LV ejection fraction (EF) averaged 64 +/- 6 (mean +/- standard deviation) %, and RVEF 56 +/- 5%, each of which was independent of BSA. LV mass was well expressed as a function of BSA with an exponential equation: LV mass = 75.4 (BSA)1.22 g (r = 0.86, p < 0.001). LV mass/LVEDV was constant, and averaged 0.96 +/- 0.22 g/ml. Thus, the values of LVEDV, RVEDV, and LV mass in infants and children with various heart diseases may be estimated with reasonable accuracy as a percentage of normal values predicted from their BSA by using the above-proposed exponential equations. The normal values of LVEF, RVEF and LV mass/LVEDV themselves can be compared with these parameters in pediatric patients with heart diseases because of their independence of BSA.