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Peak flow in children aged 4-16 years. Normal values for Vitalograph peak flow monitor, Wright and Mini Wright
1Paediatric Clinic, Falkenberg, Sweden.
Insights
This study established normal reference values for peak expiratory flow rate in Swedish children using three devices. Height, age, and sex significantly influenced results, but weight and body surface area did not.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate assessment of lung function is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring respiratory conditions in children.
- Establishing normative data for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is essential for interpreting individual measurements.
- Different spirometry devices may yield varying results, necessitating device-specific reference values.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference equations for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in a cohort of Swedish children.
- To evaluate the influence of anthropometric factors (height, age, sex, weight, body surface area) on PEFR measurements.
- To compare PEFR measurements obtained from three different devices: Wright peak flow meter, Mini Wright peak flow meter, and Vitalograph peak flow monitor.
Main Methods:
- PEFR was measured in 318 Swedish children aged 4-16 years.
- Measurements were taken using Wright peak flow meter, Mini Wright peak flow meter, and Vitalograph peak flow monitor.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of PEFR.
Main Results:
- Height, age, and sex were found to significantly affect the regression equations for PEFR.
- Weight and body surface area did not provide significant additional information for predicting PEFR.
- Reference curves for the Wright and Mini Wright peak flow meters were generated for clinical use.
Conclusions:
- Normative PEFR values are influenced by height, age, and sex in children.
- The Mini Wright peak flow meter and Vitalograph peak flow monitor are practical and affordable devices.
- Direct comparison of results obtained from different PEFR devices is not recommended due to device-specific variations.
Abstract:
Peak expiratory flow rate was measured in 318 Swedish children aged 4-16 years on Wright peak flow meter, Mini Wright peak flow meter and Vitalograph peak flow monitor. We found that height, age and sex had a significant effect on the regression equation. Weight and body surface area did not add any significant information. The curves for the Wright and Mini Wright peakflow meters are presented and may be used as normal references in the clinic. Mini Wright peakflow meter and Vitalograph peak flow monitor are cheap and handy but results on different instruments should not be directly compared.