A normal reading is approximately between 400 – 600 L/min. The expected peak expiratory flow rate will vary depending on the patient’s age, sex and height (Figure 1). PEFR is measured in litres per minute (L/min). It is not uncommon for symptoms to detect a flare-up of asthma even before peak flow measurements do.Record the peak flow meter reading and ask the patient to repeat the process twice more Symptoms are as important, probably even more important, than a peak flow reading. The peak flow meter provides one way to measure asthma objectively, but it's critical that the child and everyone else in the family not rely on just a peak flow number for assessment of how a child's asthma is doing. Call or see your physician soon, or go for emergency care, if the peak flow reading stays below 50% despite the treatment. Have your child take his quick-relief medications (usually a bronchodilator at a high dose to open up the airways and steroid pills or liquid to calm inflammation) if it is part of the asthma action plan worked out between you and your pediatrician or asthma specialist.
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