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health advisory Hospital Diseases 2007-11-12 17:57:05

I'm sure it varies..But my son has asthma and when he was having trouble breathing, coughing,and wheezing his was 50. after an albuterol treatment it was 80. What is ok for 3 yr olds? Thanks, Concerned mother

Answer:

Normal peak flow is different from one person to the next. You have to do a peak flow every day at about the same time for at least a week to find his normal. You need to keep a diary and track the number. This is the only way to find his normal.

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If I were you I'd seek a 2nd opinion--from a different

doctor--a.s.a.p.

Asthma is often misdiagnosed: that is to say, that is

very easy to diagnose it as asthma when it's actually

something else entirely.

As long as your son's not in any terrible danger, that

should be your cue to look into the matter through

another physician. (And be sure to tell the next one

what the first one told you, too.)

Best of health & good luck.

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most 3 yr olds cannot use a peak flow meter properly. contact the doctor for advice. if the symptoms don't resolve soon, call 911. childhood asthma is not something to mess around with, so get off the computer and pay attention to the kid.

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I looked at my peak flow meter, There was nothing in instructions for kids

Mine was up over 550 this past week, a record for me

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Its really hard to actually get a 3 y/o to do a peak flow. I know that throughout respiratory school and from my own experience with a 3 y/o, peak flows arent to be done until close to age 5 or 6. THis is a very helpful tool when done correctly. I am assuming your general care doctor or pediatrician gave you the peak flow meter. They should have clearly explained, in detail, the proper use. there is a diary that needs to be kept and the person should use the peak flow meter daily for accurate recordings. So my advice to you is this...talk to a pulmonologist about the peak flow for him. most likely he/she will tell you not to do it anymore. Secondly, you know your baby best. If he isnt acting normal and the breathing treatments arent seeming to help, contact his doctor asap!! Sometimes a nice strong dose of prelone or some other sort of steroid is needed in order to calm the attacks.

keep up with the treatments as needed. If he doesnt improve seek further care..good luck to ya honey!!

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