Spirometry is a painless, simple, and commonly used test to assess lung function. It is typically performed in children aged 6 years and older, as it requires full cooperation.
However, with the help of specialized animation programs available in our office, the test can often be successfully performed in children as young as 4 years old.
Spirometry measures the volume of air a child can exhale and how quickly they can exhale it. This helps us assess whether air flows freely out of the lungs, as in healthy breathing, or if there is obstruction, as seen in conditions like asthma and other respiratory disorders.
How is spirometry performed?
The procedure is simple and quick, typically lasting less than five minutes.
A nose clip is placed to ensure breathing occurs only through the mouth. The child seals their lips tightly around the mouthpiece and is instructed to inhale deeply, then blow out as hard and fast as possible. The test is usually repeated two to three times to ensure accurate and reliable results.
To make the experience more enjoyable and encourage cooperation, we use interactive visual aids, turning the test into a game, where the child “blows out candles” or “inflates balloons.”
If necessary, the test is repeated after administering a bronchodilator to evaluate how the lungs respond to medication.
When is spirometry needed in children?
Spirometry is recommended to assess lung function in children who have a chronic cough, experience wheezing or shortness of breath, children with a history of recurrent lung infections (e.g. pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis), who show low tolerance to physical activity or easily become fatigued, or those that are already using inhaled medications (e.g. for asthma) or have been diagnosed with neurological or neuromuscular conditions that may affect breathing.
How is spirometry performed?
The procedure is simple and quick, typically lasting less than five minutes.
A nose clip is placed to ensure breathing occurs only through the mouth. The child seals their lips tightly around the mouthpiece and is instructed to inhale deeply, then blow out as hard and fast as possible. The test is usually repeated two to three times to ensure accurate and reliable results.
To make the experience more enjoyable and encourage cooperation, we use interactive visual aids, turning the test into a game, where the child “blows out candles” or “inflates balloons.”
If necessary, the test is repeated after administering a bronchodilator to evaluate how the lungs respond to medication.
When is spirometry needed in children?
Spirometry is recommended to assess lung function in children who have a chronic cough, experience wheezing or shortness of breath, children with a history of recurrent lung infections (e.g. pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis), who show low tolerance to physical activity or easily become fatigued, or those that are already using inhaled medications (e.g. for asthma) or have been diagnosed with neurological or neuromuscular conditions that may affect breathing.