[Medical Q&A] Under what circumstances do children need to undergo lung function tests?

Author: Liu Fangjun Children's Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University

Reviewer: Liu Sha, deputy chief physician, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University

Children often need lung function tests in the following situations.

(1) Recurrent respiratory tract infections: Pulmonary function tests can help understand whether lung function is damaged, and the type and extent of the damage.

(2) Chronic cough, dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, etc.: Pulmonary function tests can identify the cause and location of the lesion and assess the condition.

(3) Follow-up of systemic diseases affecting the respiratory system (such as blood diseases, rheumatic and immunological diseases, tumors, etc.): It helps to assess the condition and determine the prognosis.

(4) Before and after surgical operations (especially thoracic surgery): Regular assessment and management to help evaluate surgical tolerance, complication risk, and postoperative recovery.

(5) Obesity: It helps to understand whether lung function is damaged, and the type and extent of the damage.

(6) Assessing growth and development: Pulmonary function tests are also an important reference indicator when assessing a child’s growth and development.