RESUMO
Peak expiratory flow rate was estimated in 569 school children in Ibadan to determine normal values in Nigerians. Two hundred and seventy-six boys and 293 girls, aged 6-18 without antecedent history of respiratory disease, from different socio-economic backgrounds were selected. The peak expiratory flow rate (PFR) was estimated using the Wright peak flowmeter. The results indicated that the mean values of Nigerian children were lower than those of Caucasians of the same height, sex and age. The possible reasons for this are discussed. The PFR values were found to correlate highly (P less than 0.01) with age, weight and height, and also with FVC and FEV1. In this study, PFR correlated more closely with weight than height, contrary to the results observed in Caucasian children. Since there is a positive correlation between PFR and FVC or FEV1, PFR can therefore be used in assessment of respiratory function in clinical practice, particularly in younger children, who cannot adequately cooperate when the spirometer is used for lung-function studies.
Assuntos
Fluxo Expiratório Forçado , Pulmão/fisiologia , Pico do Fluxo Expiratório , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Estatura , Peso Corporal , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Nigéria , Valores de ReferênciaRESUMO
Lung function studies were performed on 522 school children in Ibadan to determine normal values among Nigerian School children. From four schools 257 boys and 265 girls aged 7 - 18 with different socio-economic background were selected. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) wee estimated using the wedge bellows vitalograph. It was observed from the results that the mean FVC and FEV1, values were lower than the predicted mean values matched for age, sex, height and weight. It was further observed that the values obtained were lower than those of the caucasian children. However, it was observed that the FVC values correlate significantly with age, weight and height (P less than 0.01).