In reply
We agree with Dr Weinberger that symptom monitoring is an important component of patient self-assessment. Our article did not state or imply that self-monitoring by using a peak flow meter is superior to other forms of monitoring. Rather, we recognize it as one of several ways in which an older asthmatic child may assess the severity of an asthma exacerbation. As we reported in our article, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute encourages patients to establish their personal best peak expiratory flow (PEF) and use it as the basis of their asthma action plan, stating that "short-term daily peak flow monitoring is helpful for assessing the severity of a patient's asthma."1