Monday, 5 December 2011
Poster Hall (Cancún Center)
Dora Valdes, MD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Sandra González-Díaz, MD, PhD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Alejandra Macías-Weinmann
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Alfredo Arias-Cruz, MD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Jose Canseco, MD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Claudia Gallego, MD
,
Regional Center of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Diego Garcia-Calderin, MD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Maricruz Calva, MD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Karla Mejia, MD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Luis Dominguez, MD
,
Regional Centre of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Monterrey, Mexico
Background: Studies have been conducted to obtain MEF (maximum expiratory flow) reference values in healthy children. Factors such as the region´s altitude, humidity, local temperature, and the characteristics of the study population cause changes in airway resistance that produce different MEF values. The objetive of this study is to establish normal reference values for MEF in healthy children from the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and compare them with established reference values from other states of Mexico and the United States.
Methods: We carried out an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative study in healthy 6 to 8 year old children, both gender. A questionnaire that included information about age, weight, and height was applied. Flowmetry was performed with a Truzone® portable peak flow meter and the highest of three values was recorded.
Results: We included 2282 children (1085 boys and 1197 girls) from 19 randomly selected elementary schools. The MEF values obtained were plotted on graphs in MEF percentiles according to gender and height. When compared with MEF reference values for authors from different locations, differences were found.
Conclusions: The variation observed in MEF values in our population compared with studies performed in other populations shows the need for clinical demographic data from each region to establish and use characteristic reference values.
References
- Akinbami LJ, Moorman JE, Liu X. Asthma prevalence, health care use, and mortality: United States, 2005-2009. Natl Health Stat Report. 2011Jan12; (32):1-14.
- Miller M. Peak expiratory flow meter scale changes: implications for patients and health professionals. Airways J 2004, 2:80-82
