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[Techniques for assessing respiratory function in preschool children]
Irena Wojsyk-Banaszak1, Anna Breborowicz
1Klinika Pneumonologii, Alergologii Dzieciecej i Immunologii Klinicznej Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu. iwojsyk@ump.edu.pl
Insights
Pediatric lung function testing, including spirometry and oscillometry, offers valuable insights but faces poor clinical application. This review details available techniques and their guideline-based applicability in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Context:
- Clinical application of lung function tests in preschool children lags behind theoretical knowledge.
- Accurate respiratory assessment in young children is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose:
- To review available lung function measurement techniques for preschool children.
- To describe the clinical applicability of these tests based on current guidelines.
Summary:
- This review presents various lung function tests: spirometry, body plethysmography, interrupter technique, forced oscillation technique (including impulse oscillometry), and gas mixing techniques.
- It evaluates the clinical applicability of these methods in preschool children according to American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines.
Impact:
- Aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice in pediatric respiratory diagnostics.
- Provides clinicians with evidence-based information for selecting appropriate lung function tests in young children.
Abstract:
Despite increasing theoretical knowledge on available techniques of lung function measurements in preschool children, its application in clinical practice remains poor. In this review a range of tests including spirometry, body plethysmography, interrupter technique, forced oscillation technique and its modification impulse oscillometry and gas mixing techniques is presented. Clinical applicability of these tests according to the recent American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines is also described.
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