If your child has trouble breathing, asthma, problems with his or her lungs or signs of sleep apnea, a pediatric pulmonologist has the experience and qualifications to treat your child. Pediatric pulmonologists diagnose, treat and manage children and young adults with breathing difficulties and lung diseases.
Pediatric pulmonologists often treat children with these conditions:
- Asthma
- Recurrent cough and wheezing
- Snoring and sleep apnea
- Chronic cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Exercise induced shortness of breath
- Recurring pneumonia
- Neuromuscular diseases
- Infant Apnea
- Chronic lung disease in premature infants
- Noisy breathing
- Chronic ventilation
- And many others…
Our goal is to improve the quality of life for all of our patients so they may lead healthy active lives.
We offer a comprehensive approach in the diagnosis and management of breathing and lung diseases.
We perform lung function tests, provide thorough asthma education and monitor symptoms closely.
Children that are born prematurely may have a unique set of pulmonary and medical problems. More specifically, these children are at risk for developing a pulmonary condition, known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia or chronic lung disease. All children with this disorder should be under the care of a pediatric pulmonologist. These children are more susceptible to viral infections and require a comprehensive approach in management. As part of these children’s care, we administer Synagis to increase protection against the potential life threatening complications from a virus known as RSV. It is given monthly during RSV season for babies (less than 2 years of age) that were born premature or have congenital heart disease.
Remember:
Children and teens are not just small adults. Their bodies are growing and have unique medical needs. They usually express their concerns differently than adults and cannot always answer medical questions appropriately.
Pulmonary Procedures performed:
- Asthma Education
- Spirometry
- Exhaled nitric oxide testing
- Impulse oscillometry
- Bronchoscopy
- Nebulizer Treatments
Asthma Diagnosis
The diagnosis of asthma in children requires a careful review of a child’s current and past medical history, family history, and a physical examination. Specialized testing is sometimes needed to diagnose asthma and to rule out other possible causes of symptoms. Many children with asthma appear and sound completely normal.
Spirometry testing
The most accurate test for diagnosing asthma is spirometry or pulmonary function testing. Spirometry measures the flow and volume of air generated after a child takes a very deep breath and then forcefully tries to blow the air out of his/her lungs. If airflow obstruction is present, the test is repeated after the child uses an asthma inhaler (bronchodilator) to confirm that the obstruction is reversible (a feature of asthma).
Children younger than six years sometimes have a hard time following the instructions to perform spirometry. Airway resistance testing can also be performed in specialized centers such as our center. Alternatively, a healthcare provider may recommend a trial of medication to confirm the diagnosis.
Does My Child Have Asthma?
This is a frequent question parents ask their pediatricians. However, sometimes the answer may not be not so straightforward. When many people think of asthma, they commonly think of the worst case scenario, specifically, the people who have severe disabling asthma and those who die from it. The truth of the matter is that although asthma can be potentially fatal, most of the time it can be well controlled with safe medication so that children and adults can fully lead their lives without any interference. In our office, we are able to perform lung function testing from three years old and older to better assess if your child has asthma.
Why is it important to have a proper diagnosis for asthma?
The symptoms of asthma can be tricky and it is not just about wheezing. For this reason, children are often misdiagnosed with allergies, chronic cough, and sinus problems when in fact it is unrecognized asthma. Some patients and parents are scared when a diagnosis of asthma is made, for fear that their child will be labeled as weak or will always have breathing difficulties. This is definitely not true, and it is important to receive proper education and information regarding asthma, so that your child can receive appropriate care.
WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION
Your child’s healthcare provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your child’s medical problem. The following organizations also provide reliable health information:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Lung Health Education Program
American Acad. of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology