RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Peak expiratory flow rate and the acute chest syndrome in homozygous sickle cell disease. JF Archives of Disease in Childhood JO Arch Dis Child FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP 330 OP 332 DO 10.1136/adc.66.3.330 VO 66 IS 3 A1 E F Bowen A1 J G Crowston A1 K De Ceulaer A1 G R Serjeant YR 1991 UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/66/3/330.abstract AB The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was studied in 20 matched pairs of children with homozygous sickle cell disease with either no episodes or six or more episodes of acute chest syndrome. The pairs were carefully matched for height and a highly significant reduction in PEFR was observed in children with multiple episodes of acute chest syndrome. Lateral and anteroposterior chest diameters and chest circumference correlated with PEFR but did not differ between index and control cases. The most likely cause of the reduced PEFR in children with multiple episodes of acute chest syndrome is an accumulating pulmonary fibrosis that decreases lung compliance.