Peak Flow Monitoring in Pediatric Asthma Management: A Clinical Practice Column Submission

Peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring has long been a mainstay of asthma management, but controversy surrounds its efficacy in the pediatric population, and little published research exists on the subject. PEF is both effort and technique dependent and is not suitable for use in children under the age of 5 or with developmental disabilities. However, PEF is useful for monitoring airway changes if used properly, especially in that segment of the population labeled as “poor perceivers” of worsening symptoms. The authors review existing literature on the subject, including the newly revised National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). Expert panel report 3: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma—full report 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2008, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm) evidence-based guidelines.

Key words: Asthma, Pediatric, Peak expiratory flow, Asthma action plan