Peak expiratory flow values are higher in older and taller healthy male children: An observational study

Abstract

Purpose: Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured in healthy children aged five to ten years in order to provide baseline values and to determine correlations between PEF and factors such as gender, age and type of school. Methods: After the Ethical Committee of Research in Human of the School of Medicine of ABC – FMABC approval, PEF and height were measured in 1942 children between five and ten years old from nine public schools and nine private schools throughout São Bernardo do Campo City. PEF was measured using the Mini-Wright Peak Flow Meter (Clement Clarke International Ltd.) and. height was measured using a Sanny professional stadiometer . Results: Significant differences were found in values for PEF: higher values were seen in older students in comparison with younger students, in males in comparison with females and in students from private schools in comparison with public schools, with average values ranging from 206 L/min to 248 L/min,. Linear correlations were seen for PEF values with both height and age (Spearman Coefficient). Conclusions: Differences were seen for PEF between genders and between types of school, and a linear correlation was seen for PEF with both age and height in healthy children from five to ten years old.

Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy versus Subcutaneous Injection Immunotherapy in Allergic Patients

“…PF values for asthma control should be taken as a guideline only because the predicted lung function has a high degree of variability with significant differences in PF values according to presence or not of lung disease, smoking, age, sex, and even patient's social environment [29–31]. …”

Evaluation of peak cough flow in Brazilian healthy adults

“…PEF is a maximum flow generated during a forced expiration after lung inflation, i.e., starting from total lung capacity (TLC) [3-5]. …”

“…Along with PEF, peak cough flow (PCF) has provided clinical data to identify common variations in the respiratory muscles function [3-5]. Respiratory and neuromuscular diseases induce respiratory muscles weakness, resulting in accumulation of secretions in the airways, leading to pneumonia development, tracheal intubation and tracheostomy [9].…”

Chest and Neck Mobilization Effects on Spirometric Responses in Healthy Subjects

“…Subsequently, forced vital capacity (FVC, in liters), forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV 1 , in liters), and peak expiratory flow (PEF, in liters per second) were verified; and the Tiffeneau index (FEV 1 /vital capacity, percentage) was calculated. 9,10 After the first spirometric test, the volunteer was submitted to 3 mobilization techniques; each technique was performed 6 times. 2,3 The 3 techniques were as follows:…”

“…Nevertheless, a previous study from our group demonstrated absence of difference between pre-and postmobilization spirometric tests without intervention (placebo condition). 9 We did not measure myofascial restrictions; however, myofascial restrictions are present in both healthy individuals and those with musculoskeletal disorders at rest. 3 The pressure and velocity of the manual therapy were not measured.…”