Assessment of bronchial responsiveness in preschool children

Paediatr Respir Rev. 2006:7 Suppl 1:S23-5. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2006.04.016. Epub 2006 Jun 5.

Abstract

Preschool children have a short concentration span and relatively poor cooperation with pulmonary function tests (PFTs). This combination complicates the inhalation protocol and the assessment of bronchodilation/bronchoconstriction in this age group. Bronchial responsiveness can be studied after bronchodilator administration or during bronchial challenge using miscellaneous PFTs. This article enclosed information on when to consider significant a PFT change, and published proposed cutoffs for bronchodilation/bronchoconstriction test. Issues on interpretation of bronchial test are also discussed. Recommendations are provided on behalf of the Interrupter Technique Subcommittee of the ATS/ERS Working Group on Infant and Young Children Pulmonary Function Testing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Bronchoconstriction / drug effects
  • Bronchoconstriction / physiology*
  • Bronchoconstrictor Agents / administration & dosage
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Respiratory Function Tests / methods

Substances

  • Bronchoconstrictor Agents