Peak expiratory flow measured with the Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Biometrics
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Establishing accurate pediatric reference values for lung function is crucial for diagnosing respiratory conditions.
• The Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter is a common tool for assessing airflow, but its performance in diverse pediatric populations requires validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish pediatric reference values for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in Mediterranean white children aged 7–14 years.
• To determine the correlation between biometric variables and PEFR, and identify sex-based differences.
• To compare the performance of the Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter with spirometry.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1,566 Mediterranean white children (aged 7–14 years) from Valencia, Spain.
• Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured using the Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter.
• Statistical analysis was performed to establish prediction equations and percentile tables, and to compare with spirometry data.

Main Results:

• Height demonstrated the strongest correlation with PEFR in both male and female participants.
• Significant differences in PEFR were observed between sexes.
• Prediction equations and percentile tables for PEFR were generated for each sex.

Conclusions:

• The study provides valuable pediatric reference values for PEFR using the Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter for the studied population.
• Height is a key determinant of PEFR in children, and sex-specific equations are necessary for accurate interpretation.
• The Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter shows comparable performance to spirometry for PEFR assessment in this age group.