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Peak Flow Meter

Dear Dr. Kagen,

What is the normal range for a 5 y.o.? When should treatment be done and how often?

My daughter has 'reactive airway' asthma, diagnosed 2 years ago. She gets one episode ea. winter, usually @ Christmas. She has never been hospitalized but has been on nebulizer treatments and steroids during this annual occurance. She is now old enough to monitor with peek flow rates but I do not know what the perameters are for peek flow.

Thank You,
TLL

Dear TLL,

Thanks for asking about 'normal' peak flow readings for children.

It is difficult to determine in children exactly what their normal readings should be since the peak flow meter is in large part dependent upon the effort of the child. The important thing to keep in mind about peak flows is the direction that the numbers are headed in. Is the reading going up or down, and if so, by how much when compared to a child's own 'normal' peak flow reading.

Also, you need to discuss with your daughter's Allergy and Asthma Specialist exactly what the traetment plan should be for her when she is not feeling well and her peak flow readings are dropping.

I hope this brief information is helpful to you and your family.

Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com