Tidal forced expirations. ERS/ATS Task Force on Standards for Infant Respiratory Function Testing. European

P D Sly1, R Tepper, M Henschen

  • 1Division of Clinical Sciences, TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia.

Insights

Standardized infant lung function testing requires user-friendly equipment and methods. The European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society developed guidelines for infant respiratory function testing to address these needs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Infant lung function testing progress is hindered by a lack of accessible, affordable equipment and standardized methodologies.
  • The European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society formed a task force to address these limitations in infant respiratory testing.

Framework:

  • This document outlines consensus recommendations for infant respiratory function testing.
  • Focuses on equipment requirements, study procedures, and data reporting for forced expiration measurements.

Implementation:

  • Provides the "state of the art" for infant lung function testing as of 1999.
  • Aims to standardize measurements of forced expiration at end-tidal inspiration in infants.

Implications:

  • These guidelines are intended to advance the field of infant respiratory diagnostics.
  • The authors anticipate future updates as knowledge and techniques evolve in infant pulmonary function testing.

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