Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide imposing a substantial social burden on both children and adults alike. Worldwide childhood asthma appears to be increasing in prevalence, despite considerable improvement in management of the disease. In India prevalence of asthma has been found to be around 6% in majority of survey, but it has been reported to vary from 217% in different study population, affecting on average about 311% of adults, 35% of paediatric population. The symptoms of the disease can start at any age, but in majority it starts before 10 years of age. Aims and Objectives: To study the clinical features of bronchial asthma and the peak expiratory flow rate( PEFR )in patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma and to assess objective response of PEFR to bronchodilator therapy in group of 40 children visiting the department of pediatrics in a city hospital. Material and Methods: Data was collected by using pretested proforma meeting the objectives of the study. The purpose and technique of the study was carefully explained to the subjects and informed consent was taken.Age and sex matched control group of 100 was taken from the same population as the lung function tests are affected by certain variables like age, sex, stature and environmental conditions Detailed clinical history, thorough clinical examination was taken. Relevant investigations were done. Instrument used to measure PEFR was “The miniature Wright’s peak flow meter”. Results: There was significant reduction in PEFR in all the age groups of the study group as compared to the control group which was easily measured using the miniature Wright’s peak flow meter in both outdoor and admitted patients.

Keywords: Asthma; Children; Peak Expiratory Flow.