Peak expiratory flow rate of rural school children from Wardha district, Maharashtra in India
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Peak expiratory f low rate of rural school children from Wardha district, Maharashtra in India Amar Taksande, Manish Jain, Krishna Vilhekar, Pushpa Chaturvedi Maharashtra, India
Methods: The PEFR was measured in 1078 healthy rural school children, living in Wardha district, Maharashtra using the Mini-Wright peak flow meter. All measurements were obtained in a standing position and the best out of three trials was recorded. Anthropometric measurements, weight, height, and mid-upper-arm circumference (MAC) were recorded, and body surface area (BSA) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Results: Positive correlation was seen between age, height, weight and PEFR. The regression equations for PEFR were determined for boys and girls separately. The boys had higher values than the girls at all heights. The prediction equation for PEFR based on height was PEFR = 3.64 height (cm) – 257.86 (R=0.47, R2=0.22) for female; PEFR = 4.7 height (cm) – 346.51 (R=0.62, 2 =0.38) for male. Conclusion: PEFR is a reliable measurement, which can be used routinely and regularly in rural areas for assessment of airway obstruction and prediction formula derived for use in this population. World J Pediatr 2008;4(3):211-214 Key words: asthma; peak expiratory flow rate; respiratory function tests
Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, Wardha, Maharashtra 442102, India (Taksande A, Jain M, Vilhekar K, Chaturvedi P) Corresponding Author: Amar M Taksande, Department of Pediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, Wardha, Maharashtra 442102, India ([email protected])
©2008, World J Pediatr. All rights reserved.
Introduction
T
he peak flow meter is a useful instrument for routine monitoring of the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in healthy and asthmatic children.[1-3] Ventilation function studies in adult population from different parts of India are well documented,[4,5] but the similar data in children are limited.[6,7] The measured PEFR is compared with the predicted PEFR of the subjects which is matched to the same sex, age, body size and ethnic group. This parameter is used to screen and monitor the severity of asthma in the community, particularly when the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related hospital admissions are rising.[5,6] Studies relating to PEFR and anthropometry among growing children are necessary in India as the mosaic of Indian population spreading over such a differing geography is varied and complex. The present study was designed to measure the PEFR in rural school children from Wardha district of Maharashtra state and to derive prediction formula for this population.
Methods The three schools situated in different villages of Wardha district selected randomly were included in the present study. Children with major medical illness and those having acute respiratory infections within 7 days of the study were excluded. The children with asthma were excluded. The exclusion criteria for recurrent cough or chest infection; a
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