All issues > Volume 29(10); 1986

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1986;29(10):1104-1113. Published online October 31, 1986.

A Study on Predicted Values of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Primary School Children.

Soon Wook Lim¹, Ki Young Lee¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yonsei University

Abstract

Wright’s peak flow meter, which was desigend as a simple and reliable device for measuring the peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) is now used worldwide as a measurement of ventilatory capacity. PEFR is an especially useful parameter in the management of childhood asthma and other obstructive pulmonary diseases. It has been used in inhalation bronchial challenge tests to identify offending allergens such as food, drugs, or physical exercise. However, predicted values of PEFR for primary school children in Korea for the use of pulmonary function test have not previously been established, and the purpose of this study has been to obtain the predicted values for primary school children. Five hundred eighty normal healthy children (2 classes per grade in random sampling) in one primary school in Seoul were included in this study after careful history taking and physical examination had revealed no evidence of past or present significant respiratory disease. The Wright peak flow meter was used throughout the study. For each determination of PEFR, the children were instructed to make a maximal inspiratory effort and then to make the most rapid expiratory effort possible. In all cases, at least 3 measurements were made, and the highest value was taken as the PEFR for that child. We calculated the linear regression equations and correlation coefficients according to sex, age, height, weight and body surface with a CYBER-BMDP computer. The results as illustrated in a linear regression equation of PEFR (Y) and correlation coefficient (r) of each parameter were as follows: 1) Age (year) Male; Y=33.56X age-33.68 r;,79 Female; Y=36.17X age-69.19 r;.84 2) Height (cm) Male; Y=6.73X height-592.84 r;.85 Female; Y=5.78X height—479.00 r;.84 3) Weight (kg) Male; Y=10.03X weight + 9.08 r;.77 Female; Y=9.05X weight + 24.93 r;.82 4) Body surface area(m2) Male; Y=444.12x body surface area—151.29 r;. 80 Female Y=385.71X body surface area—104.71 r;. 84

Keywords :Peak expiratory flow rate.