BACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to measure the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among healthy school going children in 8-13 years age group. Further, the study aimed to examine the correlation between PEFR and anthropometric parameters including height, and weight stratified by age and sex, to create nomogram of PEFR and formulate regression formula for PEFR. MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted on school going healthy children of 8-13 years age group at a selected school in Pondicherry using simple random sampling method. After baseline data collection, including height and weight, using standard method, PEFR was measured using mini-Wright peak flow meter. For the study, the highest of three measurements were recorded. RESULTSThe study included 643 healthy students, out of which 391 and 252 were boys and girls respectively. The findings showed that the age (β=7.83, p<0.001), height (β=0.84, p=0.036) and weight (β=0.79, p=0.015) are the significant predictors of PEFR values for girls while age (β=10.03, p<0.001) and height (β=1.36, p<0.001) but not weight (β=0.36, p=0.255) for boys. Nomograms were plotted based on the PEFR values observed in the study population. Predicted equations for PEFR accounting all the three-age, height and weight: PEFR (L/min) = -74.947 + 10.028 * Age (in years) + 1.361 * Height (in cm) + 0.358 * Weight (in Kg) in boys and PEFR (L/min) = -9.465 + 7.825 * Age (in years) + 0.840 * Height (in cm) + 0.797 * Weight (in Kg) in girls. CONCLUSIONThe present study showed a significant correlation between anthropometric parameters including weight and height with PEFR across age and sex among 8 to 13 years healthy school children. The equation would be helpful in evaluation of children with airway diseases.

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to examine the difference in the measure of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) between overweight, obese and non-obese school going children in the age group of 8-13 years. MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 643 healthy school going children aged 8-13 years. The study was conducted in one secondary school selected in the urban area of Puducherry between August and September 2017. After baseline data collection including height and weight, BMI was calculated using the Quetelet index. The PEFR was measured using a mini-Wright Peak flow meter. For the study, the highest of the three measurements were recorded. RESULTSThe study included 643 healthy students, out of which 391 and 252 were boys and girls respectively. Out of 643 children, 590 were in the ideal weight range while 28 and 25 categorized as obese and overweight respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in the age group of 8 to 13 years was 3.9% and 4.4% respectively. The present study showed that PEFR was significantly higher in the obese group (256.07±55.47 L/min), than overweight (252.00±51.24) and non-obese group (224.15±53.74, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONThe present study showed a significant difference in the PEFR rate between obese, overweight and normal groups where higher PEFR has been reported on obese than normal. Excess weight directly and positively affects the PEFR, while further investigations on the underlying mechanism is warranted. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:Babu RV, Devaraj VS, Harish VKS. A study of the association of overweight and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among children.

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common nosocomial infection in the United States, with high mortality and morbidity. Duration of hospital stay increased in average of 7 to 9 days with increase in treatment cost of $40,000 per patient. However, clinical evidence on the incidence of this infection is poor, especially from ICUs in India. : To study the incidence, risk factors and etiological agents in ICU patients developing VAP in a tertiary care hospital in India.In this study, patients who were kept on ventilator for more than 48 hours in ICU were enrolled. To clinically diagnose VAP, the modified clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) and clinical criteria were used as a screening tool. A full clinical history of the patients was documented, as well as the date of admission to the ICU, the date of initiation of mechanical ventilation, and the method of access to the patients' airway. A standard PROFORMA was used and the collected data was observed and analysed further. : In the present study out of 45 patients enrolled for the study, only 6 patients (13.3%) showed VAP. The presence of early VAP was observed in 3 patients whereas late VAP was also observed in 3 patients. The male and female patients exhibited similar incidences of VAP. The patients with an age group more than 70 years showed a maximum (37.5%) prevalence of VAP. Clinical features like fever and increased amount of secretions were found to be associated with the occurrence of VAP. Smoking and diseases like hypertension, kidney disease, malignancy and chronic lung disease were non-significantly associated with VAP. Whereas disease states like coma and enteral nutrition were found to be significantly associated with VAP. Acinetobacter and Klebsiella were the most common organisms isolated in our institution.: VAP remains a significant concern to patients admitted to an ICU for mechanical ventilation, highlighting the critical need for preventive measures.