Dr.I.C. Verma, Editor-in-Chief, The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, New Delhi
Doi
Abstract
With the wide availability of simple to operate pulmonary function equipment, these tests
can now be performed in the office or clinic setting. The use of pulmonary function tests in the
assessment of patients with pulmonary diseases has thus expanded. These simple tests rely
on data generated from a forced expiratory vital capacity maneuver which can be performed
reliably by most children over the age of 6 or 7 years. Pulmonary function tests provide both
diagnostic and prognostic information and help in the management of a number of respiratory
diseases. The number of tests available vary with the level of sophistication of the pulmonary
function laboratory; in most situations simple spirometry is adequate. Several new and inexpensive
peak flow meters are now available for home use; these are very useful for home monitoring of
asthma patients. Physicians caring for patients with asthma or other chronic respiratory
diseases should be encouraged to use these tests routinely in the management of these children