Peak expiratory flow rate in healthy rural south Indian school children predicted from body height.

The study was undertaken to establish normograms for PEFR in healthy rural south Indian school children and to derive prediction equations for PEFR with height. PEFR was measured in 1403 children aged 5 to 17 years using Wright's mini peak flow meter. Prediction equations were derived for PEFR with height in boys and girls. Normograms were plotted based on the observed values of PEFR in the study population. Significant linear correlation was seen of PEFR with height in males (p < 0.001, r = 0.856) and in females (p < 0.001, r = 0.762). Prediction equation for PEFR are 4.49 x height (cm) - 384.64 in males and 2.99 x height (cm) - 219.44 in females.