Infant Lung Function Testing
What is an infant lung function test?
How does your child get ready for the test?
What is done during the test?
What should you do after the test?
How long will the test take?
How do you get to your test?
What is an infant lung function test?
Your doctor has suggested your child have an infant lung function test as part of the evaluation at National Jewish. An infant lung function test measures the size of your child’s lungs. The test also measures how easily air can move in and out of the lungs. This test can be used in very young children, often less than about 3 years of age. The results of this test can help determine a diagnosis early. Your doctor will use this information to determine the best treatment for your child.
How does your child get ready for the test?
- Keep your child awake for 4 hours before the test, if possible.
- Do not give your child anything to eat for 4 hours before the test. You may give your child clear liquids until 2 hours before the test. Clear liquids include water, juice or pedialyte. Do not give anything to eat or drink 2 hours before the test.
- Ask your child’s doctor if you should give oral medicine with a small sip of water.
- Stop these inhaled medicines the morning of the test if given routinely
- Proventil, Ventolin, Accuneb, (Albuterol) Xopenex (Levalbuterol)
o DuoNeb (Albuterol and Ipatroprium)
- If your child needs an inhaled treatment the morning of the test for trouble breathing such as wheezing, coughing or rapid breathing, give the medicine you are instructed to give. Call the Pediatric Care Unit at 303-398-1239 to let them know and discuss the best plan. Do not withhold inhaled medicine if your child is having trouble breathing.
- Please arrive 1 hour before the test is scheduled.
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What is done during the test?
Your health care provider will explain the Infant Lung Function Test to you and your child before the test. Ask questions if you don’t understand.
Your child must be asleep to perform this test. We will give your child a sleeping medicine (sedative) to help him/her sleep through the test. This is the usual practice at most hospitals. The sedative is quite safe. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or the doctor in charge of your child’s sedation at the time of the test.
Your child will be placed on a heart rate monitor and blood oxygen monitor (pulse oximeter). Your child will be monitored for the entire test. Following a physical exam, your child will be given the sedative by mouth. Your child may be quite active after getting the sedative while the medicine takes effect. If you are holding your child, it is important to support him/her firmly, especially the head and neck. The sedative often takes about 20-30 minutes to reach full effect.
After the sedative has taken effect, your child will be placed in the testing crib. The nurse and respiratory therapist will be with your child at all times until he/she wakes up. The doctor will be present during the test.
During the test, a mask attached to the lung function machine will be placed over your child’s nose and mouth. Your child will be able to breathe freely throughout the test. Your child will also receive gentle inflations through the mask to help measure the size of the lungs. The inflations are given to help relax the breathing muscles just prior to measuring.
A vest will then be placed around your child’s chest to assist in blowing air out as they breathe out. The pressure used in the vest is like a hug. This helps measure how easily air moves through the lungs. It is less than you would feel when using a cuff around your arm to check blood pressure. The machine itself can be noisy during the test, but most children sleep through this noise. Often this noise is soothing to them.
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What should you do after the test?
After the test your child will be watched in the Pediatric Care Unit until he/she is awake and able to eat. Please continue to firmly support your child, especially the head and neck, while he/she is waking up. Your child may be sleepy and not have total control for up to four hours following the test. Your child will be able to eat and drink normally soon after the test. Your child may remain sleepy for a few hours after the test.
How long will the test take?
Plan on staying at National Jewish for at least half the day. This includes at least 3 hours to complete the test. This also includes time to start and recover from the sedation.
How do you get to your test?
You and your child should check-in at the Pediatric Care Unit. The Pediatric Care Unit is on the 2nd floor. Take the elevator next to the main entrance to the 2nd floor. Upon leaving the elevator on the 2nd floor, turn to your left. You will see the Pediatric Scheduling Desk across the lobby. Check- in at the Pediatric Scheduling Desk.
Travel and directions to National Jewish.
If you have any questions you can contact the following:
Marzena E. Krawiec MD (Pediatric Pulmonologist)
Hailey Swanson CRT (IPFT Respiratory Therapist)
Jean Maley RRT (IPFT Respiratory Therapist)
Pulmonary Physiology Office: 303-398-1530
Pediatric Care Unit (24 hours/day): 303-398-1239
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PTE-157, rev03/07
This information has been approved by Marzena E. Krawiec, MD (April 2007).
