Abstract
Introduction: Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) can be measured by cheap and portable instrument, peak flowmeter which is useful in detecting early asthmatic changes and monitoring the treatment response.
 Methods: This study was conducted on 1000 normal healthy children of nine to 14 years of age of either sex from various schools of Faridkot district in South West Punjab, India. Anthropometry was done and PEFR was measured using Mini Bell Peak Flow Meter. Linear regression analysis was done and normograms were constructed.
 Results: Linear regression equations were derived for PEFR with height, weight, BSA and BMI in boys and girls. The most significant correlation was seen with height (r = 0.527 in boys, r = 0.410 in girls) followed by body surface area (r = 0.506 in boys, r = 0.296 in girls). Body mass index had negative correlation (r = -0.200) with PEFR in girls. Nomograms were constructed on basis of linear regression equations of PEFR with height (-46.67 + 2.02 x height for boys, -12.64 + 1.50 x height for girls) and BSA (82.02 + 137.2 x BSA for boys, 96.61 + 88.11 x BSA for girls)
 Conclusion: There is need for nomogram for each region so that personal value of PEFR can be compared to normal reference population and also with predicted value from regression equation as PEFR varies from region to region. The nomograms and regression equations derived from this study can be useful for predicting normal values of PEFR of children of South West Punjab.
Highlights
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) can be measured by cheap and portable instrument, peak flowmeter which is useful in detecting early asthmatic changes and monitoring the treatment response
A total of 1000 normal school children, aged nine to 14 years, of both sexes from rural and urban areas of South West Punjab were included in the study
The mean height, weight, body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of boys and girls is depicted in table 1
Summary
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) can be measured by cheap and portable instrument, peak flowmeter which is useful in detecting early asthmatic changes and monitoring the treatment response. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is the maximum expiratory flow rate generated with maximally forced effort from a position of maximal inspiration, measured by cheap and portable instrument, peak flow meter and is expressed in litres/minute.[1,2] Peak flowmeter is useful as a screening tool for detecting early asthmatic changes in children and to see treatment response. To interpret the significance of PEFR measurements, comparison is made to reference (normal) values based on measurements from general population. These reference values vary from country to country and from region to region within the same country. In Punjab previous literature shows PEFR values for children but these studies had smaller sample size.[8,9]
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