Spirometry is a form of pulmonary function test that we can use in the office. It measures the amount of air that your child can exhale and the speed of exhalation which can tell us about their airways.

Since the patient must be able to follow instructions about breathing in and out, we usually do not start trying to perform the test until someone is at least 5 years of age.

Your child will take in some normal breaths before taking in a big breath and blowing out air as hard as possible for as long as possible. Your child will repeat this at least 3 times to verify a correct result.

We usually review the results of this test during the visit.

This is another breathing test that measures a gas called nitric oxide which is produced by eosinophils (allergic cells) in the airways. Like spirometry, this test takes some coordination, and we usually do not attempt to perform it if a child is under 5 years of age.

In rare occasions, we need to do even more testing about how a child's lungs are working requiring equipment that we do not have in the office but is present inside the hospital. The medical term for these tests is "body plethysmography." If this test is ordered for your child, an explanation of the reasons for doing such a test and a summary of how it is done will be provided.