Basic Pulmonary Function Testing in Children

Abstract

Pulmonary function testing helps in the evaluation of respiratory disorders in children. Although it does not provide a specific diagnosis or etiology, it can identify abnormalities in lung volumes, airflow, diffusion, respiratory endurance, and respiratory muscle strength. Pulmonary exercise testing can help differentiate pulmonary from cardiac disease with exercise, detect the presence of ventilatory and/or cardiac limitation with exercise, and measure the degree of physical fitness. These studies have a role in the research of lung disorders in children because changes in lung function with age and alterations in lung growth secondary to acute and chronic disease can be identified.