Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of Malaysian children.

Prediction equations for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of Malay, Chinese and Indian children were obtained by analysing 1020 PEFR recordings of children free of respiratory symptoms and illnesses. Boys had significantly higher PEFR than girls. For both sexes the highest levels of PEFR were observed in Malays and the lowest in Indians. The differences between Malay and Chinese boys were not statistically significant but the levels of PEFR for Malay and Chinese boys were significantly higher than those for Indian boys. In girls the differences among the ethnic groups were not statistically significant. Although ethnic differences were observed in boys these differences might not be clinically important. A common prediction equation for each sex should be both practical and accurate. When compared with predicted levels for white American and Australian children the predicted levels of PEFR of Malaysian children were found to be lower; these differences could be clinically important and the use of standards for Western children when assessing Malaysian children might not be appropriate.