Title
  
  
  
    
    
      Maximum expiratory flow of children and adolescents living at moderate altitudes: Proposed reference values
    
    
  
  
    Date Issued
  
  
  
    
    
      2021
    
    
  
  
    Access level
  
  
    
      open access
    
  
  
    Resource Type
  
  
    
      journal article
    
  
  
    Author(s)
  
  
    
  
  
    
      
          
 
      
    
      
          
 
      
    
      
          
 
      
    
      
          
 
      
    
  
  
  
    
      
          
	
  
 
      
    
      
          
	
  
 
      
    
      
          
	
  
 
      
    
      
          
	
  
 
      
    
      
          
	
  Vidal-Espinoza R.
	
  Castelli Correia de Campos L.F.
	
  Urzua-Alul L.
	
  Andruske C.L.
	
  2-s2.0-85104412774
	
  Universidad Nacional del Altiplano
	
  Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa
	
  Universidad Católica del Maule
  
    Publisher(s)
  
  
    
      
          
	
  MDPI AG
  
    Abstract
  
  
  
   
    
    
      
    
 
    
 
  
  
        
        (1) Background: Spirometry is useful for diagnosing and monitoring many respiratory diseases. The objectives were: (a) compare maximum expiratory flow (MEF) values with those from international studies, (b) determine if MEF should be evaluated by chronological age and/or maturity, (c) develop reference norms for children, and adolescents. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed with 3900 subjects ages 6.0 and 17.9 years old. Weight, standing height, sitting height, and MEF were measured. Length of the lower limbs, body mass index (BMI), and age of peak height velocity growth (APHV) were calculated. (3) Results: Values for the curves (p50) for females of all ages from Spain and Italy were higher (92 to 382 (L/min)) than those for females from Arequipa (Peru). Curve values for males from Spain and Italy were greater [70 to 125 (L/min)] than the males studied. MEF values were similar to those of Chilean students ages 6 to 11. However, from 12 to 17 years old, values were lower in males (25 to 55 (L/min)) and in females (23.5 to 90 (L/min)). Correlations between chronological age and MEF in males were from (r = 0.68, R2 = 0.39) and in females from (r = 0.46, R2 = 0.21). Correlations between maturity (APHV) and MEF for males were from (r = 0.66, R2 = 0.44) and for females (r = 0.51, R2 = 0.26). Percentiles were calculated for chronological age and APHV. Conclusion: Differences occurred in MEF when compared with other geographical regions of the world. We determined that maturity may be a more effective indicator for analyzing MEF. Reference values were generated using chronological age and maturity.
      
    
  
    Volume
  
  
  
    
    
      9
    
    
  
  
    Issue
  
  
  
    
    
      3
    
    
  
  
    Language
  
  
    
      English
    
  
  
    OCDE Knowledge area
  
  
    
      Pediatría
    
  
  
    Keyword(s)
  
   
      
  
 
    
  
    Scopus EID
  
  
  
    
    
      2-s2.0-85104412774
    
    
  
  
    Source
  
  
  
    
    
      Healthcare (Switzerland)
    
    
  
  
    ISSN of the container
  
  
  
    
    
      22279032
    
    
  
            Sources of information: 
            
            
                     Scopus 4.03.2025
            
            
            
                     Scopus 4.03.2025