Detection of peak expiratory flow in 446 healthy children in Chengdu / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the reference values of peak expiratory flow (PEF) for 4.0-14.0 years old children in Chengdu.Methods From November 2011 to May 2012,a total of 446 healthy children were enrolled in this study.PEF was measured using expiratory peak velocimeter and lung function meter.Children's age,sex,height and weight were recorded.Impact factors for PEF were investigated by multiple stepwise regression analysis.Results The PEF detected by expiratory peak velocimeter and lung function meter had a good correlation (r =0.920,P ＜ 0.01).Boys own higher peak expiratory flow rate than girls.The level of PEF had the best correlation with height,next was weight and age.The level of PEF increased with the increase of height,age.Some children PEF value was less than 80％ lower limits of lower limits of normal.The PEF could be obtained from height and age.Conclusions Males and females PEF can be calculated according to children's height.Set up the PEF equation about the expiratory peak velocimeter and lung function meter.