Asthma Severity

  Days with Symptoms Nights with Symptoms PEF or FEV1 PEF variability
Severe Persistent Continual Frequent <60% >30%
Moderate Persistent Daily >5/mo 61-70% >30%
Mild Persistent 3-6x/wk 3-4x/mo >80% 20-30%
Mild Intermittent <2x/wk <2mo >80% <20%

 

 

Predicted Peak Flow

Normal Males*
Age

Height

(Years)
60"
65"
70"
75"
80"
20
554
602
649
693
740
25
543
590
636
679
725
30
532
577
622
664
710
35
521
565
609
651
695
40
509
552
596
636
680
45
498
540
583
622
665
50
486
527
569
607
649
55
475
515
556
593
634
60
463
502
542
578
618
65
452
490
529
564
603
70
440
477
515
550
587

Normal Females*
Age

Height

(Years)
55"
60"
65"
70"
75"
20
390
423
460
496
529
25
385
418
454
490
523
30
380
413
448
483
516
35
375
408
442
476
509
40
370
402
436
470
502
45
365
397
430
464
495
50
360
391
424
457
488
55
355
386
418
451
482
60
350
380
412
445
475
65
345
375
406
439
468
70
340
369
400
432
461

Normal Children and Adolescents1
Height
(inches)
Males &
Females
43"
147
44"
160
45"
173
46"
187
47"
200
48"
214
49"
227
50"
240
51"
254
52"
267
53"
280
54"
293
55"
307
56"
320
57"
334
58"
347
59"
360
60"
373
61"
387
62"
400
63"
413
64"
427
65"
440
66"
454

*Leiner GC. et al: Expiratory peak flow rate. AM Rev Respir Dis 88:644, 1963.

1 Polgar G. Promadhat V: Pulmonary Function Testing in Children: Techniques and
Standards. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Company, 1971.

Generalized Example of Asthma Flare Plan

Zone Interpretation Action
Green Zone
80-100% predicted PEF
Good Control No change needed
Yellow Zone
50%-79% predicted PEF
Inadequate Control Add rescue medications;
Increase dose of controllers
Red Zone
<50% predicted PEF
Medical Emergency Add or increase rescue medications;
call physician immediately