This book represents a comprehensive review of the most recent developments in paediatric pulmonary function testing and their clinical applications in common paediatric respiratory disorders. The first section reviews the current lung function tests used in infants and toddlers who are by nature unable to cooperate with most testing procedures. It describes the methodologies, provides normal values where available, and gives advice for data interpretation. The second section deals with the classic adult-type pulmonary function tests and their application in the semi-cooperative or cooperative older child. Age-related technical issues and the limitations of these tests are considered. Tests assessing the respiratory system beyond the usual measurements of mechanics, lung volume, and bronchial responsiveness are covered in the third section. These include the measurements of respiratory muscle function, work of breathing, diffusing capacity, and inflammatory markers in exhaled air and breath condensate. The fourth section discusses the clinical usefulness of pulmonary function tests in the diagnosis and management of the most common paediatric respiratory disorders including asthma, cystic fibrosis and neuromuscular disorders, as well as in the follow-up care after lung or bone marrow transplantation or after neonatal lung disease. This part is unique, since no books previously published in the field of paediatric lung function testing have considered its clinical value in the individual patient. Finally, the future role of pulmonary function testing in the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit is evaluated. Practical and up-to-date, this textbook is of special interest for paediatric and adult pulmonologists, paediatric intensivists, general paediatricians and physicians in training for these specialties, as well as for pulmonary function technicians and respiratory therapists. (A Karger ""Publishing Highlights 1890–2015"" title.)

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Introduction The Peculiarities of Infant Respiratory Physiology: Hammer, J.; Eber, E. Measurements of Pulmonary Function in Infants and Small Children Tidal Breathing Measurements: Lodrup Carlsen, K.C.; Carlsen, K.-H. Respiratory Mechanics: Davis, S.D.; Gappa, M.; Rosenfeld, M. Forced Expiratory Flow-Volume Measurements: Modl, M.; Eber, E. Infant Whole-Body Plethysmography: Gappa, M.; Hulskamp, G. Measurement of Functional Residual Capacity and Ventilation Inhomogeneity by Gas Dilution Techniques: Gustafsson, P.M.; Ljungberg, H. Techniques for the Measurement of Lung Function in Toddlers and Preschool Children: Hall, G.L.; Brookes, I.M. Applications and Future Directions of Infant Pulmonary Function Testing: Stocks, J.; Lum, S. Measurements of Pulmonary Function in Cooperative Children Spirometry: Volume-Time and Flow-Volume Curves: Eber, E.; Zach, M.S. Plethysmography and Gas Dilution Techniques: Marchal, F.; Schweltzer, C. Reference Equations for Ventilatory Function Measurements in Children from 6 to 16 Years: Merkus, P.J.F.M. Measurement of Bronchial Responsiveness in Children: Barben, J.; Riedler, J. Extended Assessment of the Respiratory System in Paediatric Patients Measurements of Respiratory Muscle Function in Children: Fauroux, B.; Lofaso, F. Measurements of Thoraco-Abdominal Asynchrony and Work of Breathing in Children: Newth, C.J.L.; Hammer, J. Lung Diffusing Capacity: de Jongste, J.C.; Merkus, P.J.F.M.; Stam, H. Measurements of Exhaled Markers Measurement of Exhaled Nitric Oxide: Kharitonov, S.A. Measurement of Nasal Nitric Oxide: Corbelli, R.; Hammer, J. Exhaled Breath Condensate and Other Markers in Exhaled Air: Moeller, A.; Kielbasa, B. Clinical Application of Pulmonary Function Testing in Common Paediatric Respiratory Diseases Childhood Asthma and Wheezing Disorders: Basek, P.; Straub, D.; Wildhaber, J.H. Cystic Fibrosis: Ratjen, F.; Grasemann, H. Lung Transplantation in Pediatric Patients: Tabllzo, M.A.; Woo, M.S. Neuromuscular Disorders: Mellies, U.; Dohna-Schwake, C. Paediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation: Cerveri, I.; Corsico, A.; Zoie, M.C.; Giorgiani, G. Long-Term Sequelae of Neonatal Lung Disease: Trachsel, D.; Coates, A.L. Pulmonary Function Testing in the Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: Hammer, J.; Newth, C.J.L. Author Index Subject Index