To accurately diagnose and treat pediatric patients with allergy or pulmonary difficulties, the specialists at St. Louis Children's Hospital utilize a fully equipped Pulmonary Function Laboratory to evaluate all aspects of lung function including:
- Assessment of airflow via spirometry with and without bronchodilator therapy
- Lung volume determination via body plethysmography and/or nitrogen washout
- Measurement of oxygenation via diffusion capacity and arterial blood gas measurement
- Muscle strength assessment
- Assessment of airway reactivity elicited via methacholine challenge, cold air inhalation, and/or exercise
- Evaluation of fitness via maximal cardiopulmonary stress testing
- Infant pulmonary function studies to include rapid thoracoabdominal compressions, nitrogen washout lung volumes, single breath occlusion compliance, and response to carbon dioxide inhalation
- Respiratory induction plethysmography
