title: Pulmonary diagnostics.
abstract: Term infants with respiratory distress may have extremely varied etiologies of their illnesses. These range from anatomical malformations to infectious or inflammatory conditions to genetic, metabolic, or neurological abnormalities. This article reviews the present array of diagnostic studies available to the clinician, including the physical examination, imaging (radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and nuclear scanning techniques), lung mechanics and function testing, evaluation of gas exchange (blood gases, pulse oximetry, transcutaneous monitoring, and end-tidal carbon monoxide measurements), and anatomical studies (bronchoscopy and lung biopsy). These tests and procedures are reviewed and a stepwise approach recommended.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: smdonnmd@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Donn
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, The James Cook University Hospital, Durham University, Middlesbrough, UK.
authors.forename: Sunil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sinha
mesh_terms: D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000639:trends; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000639:trends; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Bronchoscopy; Chest imaging; Gas exchange; Lung biopsy; Lung mechanics and function; Neonatal pulmonary diagnostics