Calculation of Predicted Peak Expiratory Flow in Children with a Formula

• Main Author: Matjaž Kopač (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Open Journal of Asthma - Peertechz Publications, 2017-02-10.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p><strong>Background:</strong> To determine whether a child has asthma exacerbation, we should obtain the value of peak expiratory flow. It is useful in a diagnostic procedure, in evaluation of response to therapy and following the course of asthma.The context and purpose of the study: On the basis of published relations between body height and peak expiratory flow in children I developed a formula for calculation of predicted peak expiratory flow in children according to body height.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Formula for estimation of predicted peak expiratory flow in children according to body height reads as follows:</p><p>Peak expiratory fl ow [L/min] = (Body height [cm] x 5.3) - 433.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In some situations, especially in emergency settings, the presented formula may prove useful in predicting peak expiratory flow knowing only a child's body height.</p>