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Lung function testing (LFT) in children plays an important role in the evaluation of known or suspected respiratory disease. Lung function tests are a set of tests that are used to determine, measure, or observe the functioning of the lungs. Lung function testing is a way to measure the breathing of babies and toddlers.

A pediatrician may advise you to undergo LFT for regular physical examination of your child. This test is advised when your child is experiencing any symptoms associated with lung problems or disorders like asthma, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. A pediatrician will also observe these tests and check whether a certain treatment prescribed for lung disease or condition is working effectively or not. Children are aged 5 or 6 are usually able to perform standard lung function tests.

Benefits

Lung function testing can also be useful in the pre-operative assessment of high-risk children undergoing surgical procedures. Lung function testing performed in the evaluation of pediatric respiratory conditions include measurements that identify:

• Airway obstruction
• Restrictive lung, chest wall, and respiratory muscle defects
• Diffusion defects
• Lung growth
• Review the effects of treatment on a child

Key Features of Lung function testing

The most common Lung function testing used are spirometry, gas diffusion, and lung plethysmography

• The spirometry test is used to measure the amount of air inhaled and exhaled. It also measures the amount of time taken to complete the respiratory cycle.
• The lung plethysmography test measures the amount of air in the lungs after the patient takes a deep breath. The test is done by having your child breathe in a special machine to take measurements of how much air is in his or her lungs.
• Lung gas diffusion testing measures how well the lungs exchange gases. This is an important part of lung testing.
• The LFT is done under sedation. That means that your child will receive medication to make him or her sleep through the test.

If your child has any special needs or health issues, you can consult the Child Doctor in Noida, It is important to notify special needs of treatment. Before performing the test you need to know about, the test, its effect, and its requirement.