CHEO’s Pulmonary Function Laboratory (PFT Lab) provides lung function testing for children 6 - 17 years of age. The testing we offer includes:
- Basic lung function testing (spirometry); we can also measure response to bronchodilator
- Lung volume measurement (as well as diffusing capacity of the lungs)
- Specialized testing for asthma (methacholine challenge)
- Exercise testing
- Exercise induced asthma test
- Cardiopulmonary exercise test (VO2max)
- Measurement of the strength of the breathing muscles
What to expect
Temporarily stop using these medications before a lung function or other test
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Short acting bronchodilators (salbutamol or Ventolin®) 6 hours before your test.
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Long-acting bronchodilators (salmeterol or Serevent®, formoterol or Oxeze®) or inhaled steroid long-acting bronchodilator combination puffers (Advair, Symbicort, Zenhale) 24 hours before the test. Stop these medications 36 hours before a methacholine challenge or exercise test.
Keep us updated
Advise the laboratory at least 2 days before the test if you/your child has had recent eye surgery, a pneumothorax, or recent dental surgery, or if your child has an active respiratory infection (such as a cold, the flu, pneumonia, or tuberculosis (TB) as we will re-schedule the test.
Make a referral
To make an appointment, your pediatrician, family physician, nurse practitioner, or another physician-specialist must refer you. All referrals are reviewed and appointments are scheduled based on the urgency of the case.
Children must be at least 6 years of age and able to cooperate with the respiratory therapists’ instructions, including taking forceful and prolonged breaths. For methacholine and exercise tests, children must be at least 8 years old and have shown that they can do a basic lung function test.
Location
We are located in clinic C-9, second floor of CHEO (just around the corner from the Oasis coffee shop).
If your child or youth is taking medications, it’s important to follow these instructions on when to stop certain medications before your test: