Pediatric Pulmonary Function Lab Oakland
- Pediatric Pulmonology
Pulmonary function testing for kids
Pulmonary testing allows doctors to see how your child's heart and lungs are working. Our lab offers the full range of pulmonary function tests in a kid-friendly setting.
Using state-of-the-art equipment, we can assess lung function in children of any age, including infants. Our experienced laboratory technicians expertly and gently coach children, even very young patients, through a test.
We use minimally invasive approaches to make testing as comfortable as possible. If sedation is needed for a particular test, one of our pediatric anesthesiologists will administer it.
The importance of pulmonary function testing
Pediatric pulmonologists use these tests to:
- Diagnose lung problems
- Manage chronic lung disorders, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis
- Make care decisions, such as whether to use a certain treatment or change a medication
- Assess how your child is recovering from an illness
- Determine how well your child’s heart and lungs respond to exercise
Pediatric pulmonary function tests
Our team offers a full range of pulmonary testing to see how well the lungs are working and identify the cause of breathing problems. They can assess how the heart and lungs respond to:
- Air travel (hypoxic challenge)
- Altitude changes (high altitude simulation test)
- Asthma triggers (bronchoprovocation)
- Exercise
These pulmonary function tests are tailored to children and include:
- Airway resistance
- Diffusion capacity of the lung to carbon monoxide (DLCO)
- End-tidal CO2
- Impulse oscillometry
- Lung clearance index
- Oral culture swabs
- Respiratory muscle strength
- Spirometry (including pre- and post-bronchodilator testing)
- Static lung volume measurements via plethysmography
- Sweat test
Pulmonary testing for the smallest patients
We have specialized equipment that allows us to test lung function in infants and toddlers, so doctors can diagnose and treat lung problems as early as possible.
We also offer a special technique to test babies born with chest deformities that can affect the amount of air their lungs can hold. This technique helps us evaluate airflow rates before and after bronchodilators.
Pulmonary medications and follow-up
Our pulmonary function lab is a top Bay Area provider of medicated aerosol therapies, helping children breathe easier.
Our advanced equipment also allows us to monitor your child's pulmonary function over time. We can track changes in symptoms and change treatments when needed.
Our state-of-the-art sleep labs are among the few in the Bay Area to conduct overnight studies tailored to children. During the study, a pediatric polysomnographer (sleep study specialist) will help your child feel at ease. A parent stays overnight for the study.