Peak expiratory flow rate in normal Nigerian children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Establishing normative data for respiratory function is crucial for identifying abnormalities.
• Peak expiratory flow rate (PFR) is a key indicator of respiratory health.
• Previous studies have focused on Caucasian populations, necessitating research in diverse ethnic groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the normal peak expiratory flow rate (PFR) values in Nigerian school children.
• To compare PFR values in Nigerian children with those of Caucasian children.
• To investigate the correlation of PFR with anthropometric factors and other lung function parameters.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 569 school children (276 boys, 293 girls) aged 6-18 years in Ibadan.
• Peak expiratory flow rate (PFR) was measured using the Wright peak flowmeter.
• Correlations between PFR, age, weight, height, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Mean PFR values in Nigerian children were found to be lower than those reported for Caucasian children of similar age, sex, and height.
• PFR showed a highly significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) with age, weight, and height.
• Contrary to findings in Caucasian children, PFR correlated more closely with weight than height in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• The established PFR values provide a reference for assessing respiratory function in Nigerian children.
• The observed differences in PFR compared to Caucasian children warrant further investigation into contributing factors.
• PFR is a valuable and practical tool for assessing respiratory function, especially in young children who may struggle with spirometry.