Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and Its Association with Anthropometric and Demographic Parameters among Healthy School Children

Background: Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is a simple, reliable, and cost-effective tool for assessing pulmonary function and detecting airway obstruction. Establishing population-specific normative values is important because PEFR is influenced by demographic and anthropometric factors such as age, gender, height, weight, and body composition. Limited data are available regarding PEFR values among school children in Telangana. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among 552 apparently healthy school children aged 6–15 years from government and private schools in Siddipet, Telangana. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. PEFR was measured using a Mini-Wright peak flow meter following standard procedures. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), chest circumference, and chest expansion were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27. Correlations between PEFR and anthropometric variables were assessed, and demographic associations were evaluated using appropriate statistical tests Results: The mean PEFR among participants was 319.77 ± 101.21 L/min. PEFR demonstrated a significant progressive increase with age, ranging from 182.72 ± 30.00 L/min in children aged 6–7 years to 445.75 ± 36.90 L/min in those aged 14–15 years (p=0.001). Height showed the strongest positive correlation with PEFR (r=0.968, p=0.001), followed by weight (r=0.923, p=0.001). BMI showed a weaker positive correlation (r=0.331, p=0.001). Gender and socioeconomic status did not demonstrate statistically significant associations with PEFR. Conclusion: PEFR in school-aged children is significantly influenced by age and anthropometric characteristics, particularly height. The study provides region-specific normative PEFR values that may assist clinicians in pediatric respiratory assessment and early detection of respiratory abnormalities.

Keywords: Peak expiratory flow rate; School children; Anthropometric parameters; Pulmonary function; Respiratory health.