Spirometry testing, unlike a blood draw, require not only patient cooperation, but also active participation in order to get accurate and reliable results.

These tests are also not inherently natural to perform and in fact, many adult patients struggle with doing a proper flow volume loop.

If this is the case, how can we expect a 5-year-old child, let alone someone as young as 3 to do a proper test that can be the basis for a diagnosis?

Spirometry Coaching

The simple answer is with great coaching, encouragement, and the help of some incentive graphics that make the test feel like a game.

The ATS recommends testing children 6 and older, but it has been suggested in several studies, that children in the 3-5 age range can generally meet ATS standards 70-80% of the time by using some of these techniques.

In addition to utilizing these techniques, having some flexibility in testing is also useful.

The child should be standing as opposed to sitting and the technician should have a lot of patience to coach the child to success.

Spirometry Incentives

Furthermore, the incentives can not only make the test into game, but they can help the child understand that they must fully empty their lungs in order to “win” the game, therefore, reaching the 3 second threshold.

When testing children as young as 3, there are also other testing features that need to be considered.

Because most PFT testing starts at 5-6, having software to accommodate these younger ages will be important. Morgan Scientific, along with the top two pediatric pulmonary teaching hospitals have developed several features for this age range including:

  • Implementation of Global lung Initiative (GLI) “all ages” equations
  • Calculation and reporting of standard deviation (Z) scores
  • Longitudinal trending and regression of FEV1 and BMI
  • CDC growth charts with percentile curve plots
  • Cystic Fibrosis Center analysis (trends for all CF patients)
  • Specialized reporting for Lung Transplant patients.

Because of these developments for the pediatric pulmonary community, 7 of the top 10 (as rated by US News) pediatric pulmonary hospitals use Morgan Scientific products and give us feedback to make important continual improvements to our products for children and those suffering from COPD alike.

Children of all ages enjoy blowing out birthday candles any day of the year, and if they are being tested utilizing ComPAS, they will also enjoy being a fire breathing dragon or sending a rocket to the moon! With proper testing and great incentives, get good results that meet ATS standards is achievable for those as young as three.

For more information, contact us by email or phone.