Calculation of Predicted Peak Expiratory Flow in Children with a Formula

Background: To determine whether a child has asthma exacerbation, we should obtain the value of peak expiratory fl ow. 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 fl ow in children I developed a formula for calculation of predicted peak expiratory fl ow in children according to body height. Results: Formula for estimation of predicted peak expiratory fl ow in children according to body height reads as follows: Peak expiratory fl ow [L/min] = (Body height [cm] x 5.3) – 433. Conclusions: In some situations, especially in emergency settings, the presented formula may prove useful in predicting peak expiratory fl ow knowing only a child’s body height. Research Article Calculation of Predicted Peak Expiratory Flow in Children with a Formula Matjaž Kopač* Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva 20, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Dates: Received: 24 January, 2017; Accepted: 09 February, 2017; Published: 10 February, 2017 *Corresponding author: Matjaž Kopač, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva 20, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Tel: +386 1 522 3842; Fax: +386 1 522 9620; E-mail: