Malnutrition and peak expiratory flow rate

Abstract

In order to assess the effects of malnutrition on the growth of lung function, 376 Indian schoolchildren aged 6-12 yrs were studied. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured with a Wright peak flow meter, and nutritional status assessed by calculation of the percentage predicted height for age (HFA) and weight for height (WFH) using Harvard standards. After standardizing for height and sex, the PEFR of 30 wasted children (WFH below 80%) was significantly reduced (p < 0.01), but that of 135 stunted children (HFA below 90%) was higher than average (p < 0.05). It is concluded that current malnutrition has a negative effect on PEFR, possibly due to impaired muscle function, but that past or chronic malnutrition affects growth of lung function less than it affects somatic growth.