[Peak expiratory flow (PEF) rates evaluation in 3-year-old children].

In our study we examined 219 healthy 3-years old children. The children were exercised how to make a forced expiratory flow for about 7-10 days before the tests started. Subjects that had Chest Flexibility Index Rate equal 7.0 or higher were selected for further analysis. 174 (79.4%) children--131 from industrial region and 43 from control group--made PEF tests correctly. Use of three different peak flow meters ("Vitalograph"--Low Range model, mini-Wright--Low Range model, Personal-Best) made the results more reliable and determinant. Based on our results we concluded that the peak expiratory flow values obtained in 3-years old children can be used as reference values for assessment of PEF in healthy and ill children, the residents of an industrial region.