title: Peak expiratory flow rate of healthy school children living at high altitude.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anthropometric and socioeconomic factors are known to influence peak expiratory flow rate, but the effect of altitude has not been established decisively, due to conflicting results of various studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of altitude on peak expiratory flow rate of healthy school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the peak expiratory flow rate of a group of 290 school children (140 male and 150 female), aged 7-14 years, residing in Shimla (altitude 2150 meters), were compared with the results obtained in an age- and sex-matched control group, consisting of 280 school children (138 male and 142 female), residing in Patiala (altitude 278 meters). Mini Wright Peak Flow Meter was used for the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean peak expiratory flow rate value of boys at high altitude (265 ± 92.6 L/min) was significantly higher than those in plain areas (245 ± 82.1 L/min). Similarly, the mean peak expiratory flow rate of highlander girls (250.4 ± 70.2 L/min) was significantly higher than girls of plains (232.6 ± 65 L/min).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that besides anthropometric and socioeconomic factors, altitude is an important determinant of lung function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Gian Sagar Medical College, Rajpura, Patiala .
authors.forename: Sharat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Shallu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.forename: Avnish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Kamal Dev
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Altitude; Lung function; Peak expiratory flow rate; School children
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