Assessing respiratory function in young children: Developmental considerations.
The purpose of this review is to provide practitioners and clinical investigators with an update on methods of assessing respiratory function in young children. The importance of this topic is presented in light of the natural history of asthma, as well as maturational changes that occur early in life in terms of airway development. Models of disease are cited to support the concept that injury of the mammalian airway early in postnatal life might have far-reaching consequences in terms of control of airway caliber and responsiveness. The methods currently available to measure respiratory function in our younger patients are outlined. The ability of children to perform the maneuvers necessary for this testing is considered as a function of age. Areas in which research and development are needed are highlighted.
Larsen
Gary L
GL
National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA. larseng@njc.org
Kang
June-Ku Brian
JK
Guilbert
Theresa
T
Morgan
Wayne
W
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000254:growth & development*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena