Peak nasal inspiratory flow measurement: an investigation in children.
Theoretically measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) has promise as a method to objectively evaluate children with nasal airway obstruction. This study establishes normative data for children up to 8 years of age. PNIF increases linearly from a mean value of 30 l/min in early infancy up to a mean value of 80 l/min at age 8 years, apart from a dip at 3 years. There is a reasonably linear incremental rise with increasing height and weight. However, since results depend on both the degree of co-operation of the child and on the subjective impression of the observer as to when a maximal inspiratory effort has been made, there may be drawbacks to its use as a routine clinical method of nasal airway obstruction assessment.
Prescott
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Department of Otolaryngology, University of Cape Town, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, South Africa.
Prescott
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KE
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation