Pulmonary Function Test

What is a Pulmonary Function Test?

We use special equipment and trained personnel to measure your child's breathing. These tests are called Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT's) or spirometry. Your child's test results are compared to predicted values based on your child's height, race, age and sex much like a growth curve.
 
These tests are easy and fun for our patients and consist primarily of taking a big breath and blowing out as fast as possible. Interactive 'breathing games' encourage our patients to give their best effort. The equipment then measures the breath and airflow comparing it to predicted values and any previous test to monitor progress.
 
Our physicians and their assistants are specifically trained to interpret these tests to determine the presence and progress of lung disease such as asthma. These breathing tests are recognized by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as an important tool in the diagnosis and management of lung disease.