Peak flow for 9 year old boy

[swiftjo]

I’m having trouble working out what a typical peak flow for my 9 year old boy should be. He’s 140cm. We are finally getting a proper asthma plan next week but I wonder what it should be? His seems on the low side of 130 - can go up to 150 after his blue - however being confused on how to work it out I’m not sure? Thanks in advance 😀

[Superzob]

I may be completely wrong here, but my understanding is that the baseline for lung function is based on the average performance of the lungs of a 26-year old. This is presumably because your lungs are not fully formed until that age. Therefore, it may not be possible to provide definitive peak flows for a 9-year old, since children tend to grow at different rates. Quite frankly, there is too much reliance on figures and not enough on symptoms; it's the latter that need treating, not whether you achieve some arbitrary target figure. The important thing is that your son gets symptom relief from his asthma plan; I hope he achieves that and wish him well.

[peege]

It's handy to know for a child for sure. If you can't find out then keep your daily chart, taking the best of three in order to find your son's 'normal'. My little granddaughter she's 7.5 now and during winter when she's much worse medics had taught them to do peak flow daily because a drop in peak flow from 'her normal' would indicate a pending infection. This has worked really well so far. I can't for the life of me remember her levels & will try to get back to you (can't promise as going on holiday tomorrow). P

[swiftjo]

Thanks guys 😀

[strongmouse]

Hello, you could check with the asthma nurse at the surgery and ask her to talk it through with you. Yes people's peak flow can vary and that is what is important along with recording symptoms. If it is 130 before the blue inhaler and then goes up to 150 that shows a significant improvement with the inhaler.

Asthma UK has useful information on peak flow measurements and you can phone their helpline Monday - Friday. asthma.org.uk/advice/manage...

[swiftjo in reply to strongmouse]

Thank you 😀

[Peigi]

There should be no such thing as a typical PF. My sister & I are both asthmatic. I’m 36 & she’s 34. I’m brittle, she’s not. Her best PF is about 250 & mine is about 450.

The only difference is that my PF is measured twice daily.

Its about technique & practice.

What you should be looking for is the percentage difference between readings as this will give a much better idea of how well he is from day to day x

[swiftjo in reply to Peigi]

Thank you 😀