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Prediction of peak expiratory flow rates in stunted children
1Physiology Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi. yzverev@yahoo.com
Insights
Stunted Malawian children aged 6-14 years exhibit reduced peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR). Standard prediction equations for PEFR are applicable to stunted children, accounting for linear growth deficits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pulmonology
- Child growth and development
- Nutritional epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood stunting is a significant public health concern in low-income countries like Malawi.
- Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is an indicator of lung function and can be affected by nutritional status.
- Limited research exists on the impact of stunting on PEFR in Malawian children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between stunting and PEFR in Malawian children aged six to 14 years.
- To determine if existing PEFR prediction equations are suitable for stunted children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in two primary schools in Blantyre, Malawi.
- PEFR, height, weight, and age were measured in 539 children (266 boys, 273 girls).
- Nutritional status was assessed using WHO/NCHS standards; 18.6% of children were classified as stunted.
Main Results:
- Stature was a significant predictor of PEFR in both stunted and non-stunted children.
- Stunted children demonstrated significantly lower PEFR compared to their non-stunted peers.
- Regression analysis showed no significant differences in the slopes or intercepts of PEFR on stature between stunted and non-stunted groups.
Conclusions:
- Stunting in Malawian children is associated with a reduced rate of PEFR development relative to linear growth.
- Existing PEFR prediction equations developed for children with normal height-for-age can be reliably used for assessing PEFR in stunted children.
Objective:
To assess the effect of stunting on peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) in Malawian children.
Design:
Cross sectional study.
Setting:
Two public primary schools randomly selected in Blantyre, the largest city in Malawi.
Subjects:
266 boys and 273 girls aged six to 14 years.
Main Outcome Measures:
PEFR, height, weight and age of children were determined using standard techniques. Nutritional status of children was assessed using WHO/NCHS height for age, weight for age and weight for height reference standards.
Results:
The data of PEFR were analysed by regression on age and stature. One hundred children (18.6%) were classified as stunted. None of them was under weight or wasted. The equations for prediction of PEFR were calculated separately for stunted and non-stunted children. Stature was a significant predictor of PEFR values in both groups of children. The differences between stunted and non-stunted children of both sexes in slopes and intercepts of the regression lines of PEFR on stature were non-significant. Stunted children of both sexes had significantly lower PEFR than their counterparts with normal height for age index.
Conclusions:
Stunting in Malawian children aged six to 14 years is associated with decreased rate of development of PEFR in proportion to linear growth retardation. Prediction equations calculated for children with normal height for age index can be used for assessment of PEFR in stunted children.
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